Trump rolls back parts of what he calls 'terrible' Obama Cuba policy

[rooster59]

Trump rolls back parts of what he calls 'terrible' Obama Cuba policy

By Steve Holland

 

People show their support for U.S. President Donald Trump near the Manuel Artime Theater in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida, U.S., June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Zachary Fagenson

 

MIAMI (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Friday ordered tighter restrictions on Americans travelling to Cuba and a clampdown on U.S. business dealings with the Caribbean island’s military, saying he was cancelling former President Barack Obama's "terrible and misguided deal" with Havana.

 

Laying out his new Cuba policy in a speech in Miami, Trump signed a presidential directive rolling back parts of Obama’s historic opening to the Communist-ruled country after a 2014 diplomatic breakthrough between the two former Cold War foes. But Trump left in place many of Obama’s changes, including the reopened U.S. embassy in Havana, even as he sought to show he was making good on a campaign promise to take a tougher line against Cuba, especially over its human rights record.

 

"We will not be silent in the face of communist oppression any longer," Trump told a cheering crowd in Miami’s Cuban-American enclave of Little Havana, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who helped forge the new restrictions on Cuba.

 

"Effective immediately, I am cancelling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba," Trump declared as he made a full-throated assault on the government of Cuban President Raul Castro.

 

Trump’s revised approach calls for stricter enforcement of a longtime ban on Americans going to Cuba as tourists, and seeks to prevent U.S. dollars from being used to fund what the Trump administration sees as a repressive military-dominated government. (http://tmsnrt.rs/2rBfMTI)

 

But, facing pressure from U.S. businesses and even some fellow Republicans to avoid turning back the clock completely in relations with Cuba, the president chose to leave intact some of his Democratic predecessor's steps towards normalization. The new policy bans most U.S. business transactions with the Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group, a Cuban conglomerate involved in all sectors of the economy. But it makes some exceptions, including for air and sea travel, according to U.S. officials. This will essentially shield U.S. airlines and cruise lines serving the island.

 

"We do not want U.S. dollars to prop up a military monopoly that exploits and abuses the citizens of Cuba," Trump said, pledging that U.S. sanctions would not be lifted until Cuba frees political prisoners and holds free elections.

 

While the changes are far-reaching, they appear to be less sweeping than many U.S. pro-engagement advocates had feared.

 

Trump based his partial reversal of Obama’s Cuba measures largely on human rights grounds.

 

His critics, however, have questioned why his administration is now singling out Cuba for human rights abuses but downplaying the issue in other parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally Trump visited last month that grants few political freedoms to its citizens.

 

SOME OBAMA POLICIES LEFT IN PLACE

 

Trump, however, stopped short of breaking diplomatic relations restored in 2015 after more than five decades of hostilities. He also will not cut off recently resumed direct U.S.-Cuba commercial flights or cruise-ship travel, though his more restrictive policy seems certain to dampen new economic ties overall.

 

The administration, according to one White House official, has no intention of “disrupting” existing business ventures such as one struck under Obama by Starwood Hotels Inc, which is owned by Marriott International Inc <MAR.O>, to manage a historic Havana hotel. Nor does Trump plan to reinstate limits that Obama lifted on the amount of the island’s coveted rum and cigars that Americans can bring home for personal use. Still, it will be the latest attempt by Trump to overturn parts of Obama's presidential legacy. He has already pulled the United States out of a major international climate treaty and is trying to scrap his predecessor's landmark healthcare programme.

 

When Obama announced the detente in 2014, he said that decades of U.S. efforts to achieve change in Cuba by isolating the island had failed and it was time to try a new approach.

 

Critics of the rapprochement said Obama was giving too much away without extracting concessions from the Cuban government. Castro's government has clearly stated it does not intend to change its one-party political system.

 

Trump aides say Obama’s efforts amounted to "appeasement" and have done nothing to advance political freedoms in Cuba, while benefiting the Cuban government financially.

 

"It's hard to think of a policy that makes less sense than the prior administration's terrible and misguided deal with the Castro regime," Trump said in Miami.

 

International human rights groups say, however, that renewed U.S. efforts to isolate the island could worsen the situation by empowering Cuban hard-liners.

 

The Cuban government, which has made clear it will not be pressured into reforms, had no immediate comment.

 

But ordinary Cubans said they were crestfallen to be returning to an era of frostier relations with the United States with potential economic fallout for them.

 

"It's going to really hurt me because the majority of my clients are from the United States," said Enrique Montoto, 61, who rents rooms on U.S. online home-rental marketplace Airbnb, which expanded into Cuba in 2015.

 

Trump announced his new approach at the Manuel Artime Theater in the heart of the United States' largest Cuban-American and Cuban exile community, whose support aides believe helped him win Florida in the election.

 

The venue is named after a leader of the failed U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961 against Fidel Castro’s revolutionary government.

 

“I have trust in Trump to do the right thing when it comes to Cuba,” said Jorge Saurez, 66, a retired physician in Little Havana.

 

Trump’s vow to keep the broader decades-old U.S. economic embargo on Cuba firmly in place drew criticism from some U.S. farmers, especially growers of corn, soybeans and rice. Obama’s détente has already lifted exports and raised hopes for more gains, which they said were now in doubt.

 

Mexico’s foreign ministry urged the United States and Cuba to resolve their differences "via dialogue."

 

But Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, whose leftist government is closely allied with Havana, tweeted "undeniable solidarity with our sister republic Cuba against the aggressions of @realDonaldTrump."

 

The biggest change in travel policy will be that Americans making educational people-to-people trips, one of the most popular authorized categories, can no longer go to the island on their own but only on group tours. Trump's aides said the aim was to close off a path for Americans seeking beach vacations in a country where U.S. tourism is still officially banned.

 

U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, one of the Republican Party's most vocal advocates for easing rules on U.S. dealings with Cuba, called for a vote on legislation lifting restrictions on American travel there. But the Republican leadership in Congress has long blocked such a move, and it appears unlikely to budge.

 

Under Trump’s order, the Treasury and Commerce departments will be given 30 days to begin writing new regulations, which will not take effect until they are complete.

 

In contentious deliberations leading up to the new policy, some aides argued that Trump, a former real estate magnate who won the presidency vowing to unleash U.S. business, would have a hard time defending any moves that close off the Cuban market.

 

But other advisers have contended that it is important to make good on a campaign promise to Cuban-Americans.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-17

[keith101]

Trump is obviously  racist against blacks as he is trying to undo everything that Obama has done .

[boomerangutang]

Trump was told by Rubio to do this - in order to placate many rich Cuban-Americans in Miami & Dade County (Rubio's turf).  

Trump is such a baby.  Everything in his world is either 'wonderful' or 'terrible.'   When will the US get adults in the Oval Office?  

[tonray]

43 minutes ago, boomerangutang said:

Trump was told by Rubio to do this - in order to placate many rich Cuban-Americans in Miami & Dade County (Rubio's turf).  

Trump is such a baby.  Everything in his world is either 'wonderful' or 'terrible.'   When will the US get adults in the Oval Office?  

Wait isn't Rubio also on the committee investigating the Trump admin ? Hmmm...a different approach...can't fire him let's try and buy him off.

[jerojero]

Only rolling it back because it's opposite to Obama's progress with Cuba. Typical Republican move. Opposition for sake of opposition. Trump needs to worry about far more important things, like his whole appointed staff under legal investigation!

[tonray]

Simply means more business for Canadian Airlines. I have Cuban friends in New Jersey who have regularly flown to Toronto and then on to Cuba for 20 years now. Policy will change nothing but win votes in FLA. Interestingly enough, they say that while wealthy Cubans who have been here since the 1960s support restrictions, the vast majority of relatives and friends they know who have come over since the 80s hate them.Another move that eventually will backfire

[Ramen087]

This is a serious and passionate issue among Cuban ex-pats, residents, etc etc.  

Can't really see the long term benefit of this one. 

[pegman]

Great news!

[lvr181]

1 hour ago, boomerangutang said:

Trump was told by Rubio to do this - in order to placate many rich Cuban-Americans in Miami & Dade County (Rubio's turf).  

Trump is such a baby.  Everything in his world is either 'wonderful' or 'terrible.'   When will the US get adults in the Oval Office?  

" When will the US get adults in the Oval Office? "  Maybe he is a dolt? 

[stevenl]

59 minutes ago, Ramen087 said:

This is a serious and passionate issue among Cuban ex-pats, residents, etc etc.  

Can't really see the long term benefit of this one. 

That's because you're looking at it from a political pov. Try to look at it from Trump's business pov: hinder Starwood, one of his competitors.

[Ramen087]

Just now, stevenl said:

That's because you're looking at it from a political pov. Try to look at it from Trump's business pov: hinder Starwood, one of his competitors.

Too funny.  This is most definitely related to a short term gain and holding on to power in FL in the 2018 elections, as urged by Mr. Rubio and other power players on the political scene.  You're connecting dots where none exist.  

[stevenl]

2 minutes ago, Ramen087 said:

Too funny.  This is most definitely related to a short term gain and holding on to power in FL in the 2018 elections, as urged by Mr. Rubio and other power players on the political scene.  You're connecting dots where none exist.  

Agree with you that short time politcal gains are there. But that is not his main focus, he cares about the money. With Trump, always follow the money.

[Ramen087]

1 minute ago, stevenl said:

Agree with you that short time political gains are there. But that is not his main focus, he cares about the money. With Trump, always follow the money.

I think people need a new hobby other than connecting everything to do with the current administration and Benjamins.  

It's worse than six degrees of Kevin Bacon. 

[stevenl]

1 minute ago, Ramen087 said:

I think people need a new hobby other than connecting everything to do with the current administration and Benjamins.  

It's worse than six degrees of Kevin Bacon. 

I presume your 'It's' refers to 'the current administration'. Very much agree, it is worse..

[Ramen087]

8 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I presume your 'It's' refers to 'the current administration'. Very much agree, it is worse..

incorrect presumption and childish post but I will parse for you...sadly indicative of how things are going on this forum...what gives?

the "It's" refers to the connecting of dots where none exist. 

[ilostmypassword]

36 minutes ago, stevenl said:

That's because you're looking at it from a political pov. Try to look at it from Trump's business pov: hinder Starwood, one of his competitors.

 

34 minutes ago, Ramen087 said:

Too funny.  This is most definitely related to a short term gain and holding on to power in FL in the 2018 elections, as urged by Mr. Rubio and other power players on the political scene.  You're connecting dots where none exist.  

The trouble is, we really can't know. And the reason we can't know is that Trump has such a deficient moral sense that he didn't do the decent thing and put his holdings into a blind trust.  Trump, like most of his supporters, thinks patriotism and self-sacrifice have nothing to do with each other.

[Kiwiken]

Rolling Back legislation and putting the position back 50 years achieves nothing except to cement in the minds of people that talk is cheap. The door was opened people will still go. The process of reform will slow even more in Cuba thanks to short sighted red neck policy

[Khon Kaen Dave]

5 hours ago, keith101 said:

Trump is obviously  racist against blacks as he is trying to undo everything that Obama has done .

Rubbish, i am not a Trump lover, but i agree with his ideas on this. To say he is a racist on this point, is ridiculous. This is about human rights, not about skin colour.

Edited June 17, 2017 by Khon Kaen Dave
add info

[stevenl]

2 minutes ago, Khon Kaen Dave said:

Rubbish, i am not a Trump lover, but i agree with his ideas on this. To say he is a racist on this point, is ridiculous. This is about human rights, not about skin colour.

Of course this is not about human rights. If it were about human rights he would have a different attitude on SA and many other countries.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

So you are saying its about blacks then.?

[stevenl]

3 minutes ago, Khon Kaen Dave said:

So you are saying its about blacks then.?

No. I'm saying this is about his aim to undue everything Obama has done, plus about a chance he sees to hinder a competitor, Starwood, who has already invested in Cuba and stands to loose now.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

No. I'm saying this is about his aim to undue everything Obama has done, plus about a chance he sees to hinder a competitor, Starwood, who has already invested in Cuba and stands to loose now.

Ok but his reason is that Cuba has not done enough in the human rights agenda. That is his reason, and that is what he will stick to. All other theories are non starters.So say what you will dear Steven, your reason for it all will never be admitted to. so its really a moot point.

[stevenl]

2 minutes ago, Khon Kaen Dave said:

Ok but his reason is that Cuba has not done enough in the human rights agenda. That is his reason, and that is what he will stick to. All other theories are non starters.So say what you will dear Steven, your reason for it all will never be admitted to. so its really a moot point.

So?

 

Following your reasoning we can't comment, 'it will never be admitted to'.

And you never know, he may decide to tweet something different tonight.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

10 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So?

 

Following your reasoning we can't comment, 'it will never be admitted to'.

And you never know, he may decide to tweet something different tonight.

He might.

[Jingthing]

The electoral politics are not that simple anymore in Florida.

The majority of Cuban background Floridians are now for opening up Cuba more, not less!

Yes, the right wing Cuban faction is important and they contribute money, but this trump move is more about ideology and a stupid "promise" easily kept rather than electoral politics.

It's a fake promise kept too. It's a setback but if the Obama progress was that bad, and based on the rhetoric of his promises, he would have completely trashed it. He did not. 

But it's good enough to put on his stupid promises kept list. 

[alanrchase]

That's because you're looking at it from a political pov. Try to look at it from Trump's business pov: hinder Starwood, one of his competitors.

The OP says the Starwood deal will not be affected so I am afraid your post is incorrect.

[klikster]

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

[stevenl]

14 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

 

The OP says the Starwood deal will not be affected so I am afraid your post is incorrect.

No, that is not what the OP says. It says " The administration, according to one White House official, has no intention of “disrupting” existing business ventures such as one struck under Obama by Starwood Hotels Inc, which is owned by Marriott International Inc <MAR.O>, to manage a historic Havana hotel."

 

So nowhere does it say the Starwood deal will not be affected, and other sources have said it will be affected. " The president's action will have the practical effect of negating his corporate rivals's first-mover advantage. " From https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-policy-shift-on-cuba-trump-could-undercut-his-rivals-in-the-hotel-industry/2017/06/15/d77a8b2c-5148-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.13b20cb8b6d8

Edited June 17, 2017 by stevenl

[thaihome]

Reversing Obama’s executive orders, while unpopular to most people, didn’t require much finesse, assuaging of opponents, or even coordination of his team. All Trump needed to do was borrow policy ideas from Rubio and Diaz-Balart and sign an order. In 56 years, the embargo has not brought democracy to Cuba, has done little to improve human rights, and has not removed the Castros from power. Only time has managed to help that. But Trump has struggled to pass policies domestic or foreign. He needed a win, and Cuba was as close as it gets to a sure thing.

https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2017/06/trump-cuba-policy/530514/

 

TH 

[Thaidream]

If Trump had read history and listened to what the majority of the Cuban people- he would have enhanced relations with Cuba and allowed unfettered tourism to the Island. In addition, he would have pushed to have the embargo lifted. Instead he is trying to placate Rubio who just happens to sit on a committee investigating Trump.  Trump is still trying to 'cut a deal' but not with Cuba which would have increased business and jobs- but with Rubio.

 

Trump is not overtly racist but he firmly believes that Obama bugged him and he has to get back at Obama just like he does with every other person he has an issue with or criticises him.There is not one shred of evidence that Obama had Trump bugged because it never happened.

 

Trump is dangerous because he holds grudges and takes many things personally and is trying to run America as it is just another business where he can 'wheel and deal'.  He insults American allies;  makes nice with dictators and authoritarian regimes who sing his praises and vilifies the press for telling the truth.