As we look to open up new trade options around the globe, we are also looking at opening doors with former trade partners that have been estranged for political reasons for some time. Recently a delegation from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) went on a trade mission just ninety miles away from our border in Cuba.
Ted McKinney is a former USDA Undersecretary and is currently the CEO of NASDA. He talks about the reasons behind wanting to open a trade dialogue with the island nation.
McKinney says it just makes sense to be trading partners with Cuba.
McKinney adds that American farmers are more than able to fill the needs of Cuba, without them having to pay high costs to ship goods from further distances.
McKinney highlighted the thawing of tensions between our two countries as the Fidel Castro era has passed. Castro’s brother and successor Raul had already started the thawing of relations with the United States.
