Resolution to Support Normalizing Trade Relations Between the United States and the Republic of Cuba Exposed

The Resolution to Support Normalizing Trade Relations Between the United States and the Republic of Cuba is a draft resolution introduced by ALEC's Federalism and International Relations Task Force at the States and Nation Policy Summit on December 2, 2016. (Accessed January 5, 2017).

ALEC Bill Text

Summary

This Resolution supports the lifting of the U.S. embargo against the Republic of Cuba and the elimination of federal laws restricting trade with Cuba in order to pursue normalization of trade relations between the two nations.

Whereas, the imposition of artificial barriers to free and open trade are deterrents to American economic interests; and

Whereas, global engagement is the surest way for the United States to expose other nations to liberal, democratic values; and

Whereas, the United States’ embargo against Cuba has existed for more than half a century and is a relic from the Cold War era; and

Whereas, the embargo and other restrictions that have long limited trade and engagement between the United States and Cuba have failed to result in greater levels of political and economic liberalization in the island nation; and

Whereas, since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Cuba has begun to loosen restrictions on foreign travel for its citizens; and

Whereas, since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Cuba has decreased the cost and increased the access of its citizens to Wi-Fi; and

Whereas, normalization of trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba would occasion significant mutual benefits in many business sectors, especially the agricultural sector; and

Whereas, normalization of relations with Cuba could hasten Cuba’s progress toward political and economic liberalization;

Therefore, be it resolved that the legislature of the commonwealth/state of [INSERT STATE] calls on the U.S. Congress and the current U.S. presidential administration to support lifting current U.S. trade restrictions against Cuba; and

Be it further resolved, that upon adoption of this Resolution, an official copy be prepared and presented to the President of the United States, to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the U.S. Senate Finance and U.S. House Ways and Means Committees, to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to the U.S. Trade Representative, to the Secretary of Commerce, to the Ambassador to the United States from Cuba and to the Ambassador to Cuba from the United States.