File photo of tobacco fields at Vinales in western Cuba. (Nikada/E+/Getty Images)

U.S. ag businesses want Biden to allow more investment in Cuba

Canadian investment 'significant' in Cuban business

Havana | Reuters — U.S. agribusinesses, on a trade tour in Cuba, said on Tuesday they were “losing” in their bid to boost commerce with Cuban farmers and called on the Biden administration to ease restrictions and allow them to invest in private agriculture on the island. U.S. President Joe Biden last May loosened restrictions […] Read more


U.S. President Donald Trump announces a rollback on detente policies with Cuba on June 16 in Miami. (Video screengrab from WhiteHouse.gov)

U.S. farmers slam Trump’s Cuba clampdown

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. farm groups criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to retreat from his predecessor’s opening toward Cuba, saying it could derail huge increases in farm exports that totaled US$221 million last year. A trade delegation from Minnesota, one of the largest U.S. agriculture states, vowed to carry on with its planned visit […] Read more

U.S. farmers ask Trump to stay the course on Cuba

Havana | Reuters — Dozens of U.S. farm and agribusiness groups on Thursday urged President-elect Donald Trump to build upon progress made by the Obama administration in relations with Cuba, calling trade with the former Cold War foe particularly important at a time of a severe downturn in farm incomes. The agricultural trade groups stated […] Read more






Normalized relations with Cuba seen positive for U.S. agriculture

Chicago | Reuters — The normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba is an “important opportunity” for U.S. agriculture that will make exports of U.S. farm goods cheaper, easier and less time consuming for shippers, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Wednesday. President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday that the U.S. plans […] Read more