FLORIDA AG INTERESTS REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE CUBAN
TRADE
From The Harvester, March 1978
Growers, shippers, packers and processors of many Florida commodities are actively concerned about
the possible relaxation of the embargo on trade with Cuba.
FFVA’s executive committee held a special meeting with
Congressman Richard Kelly March 4 to discuss the situation. FFVA
President Peter S. Harllee presided over the session at FFVA offices in
Orlando.
The simple fact of the matter is that President Carter could, by the
stroke of a pen, bring an immediate end to the trade embargo that was
imposed against Cuba in February 1962.
Cuba is presently
denied trade concessions under Section 401 of the Tariff Classification
Act of 1962 that declared Cuba to be a part of the
world Communist movement. If the president wishes, he may declare that
“he has determined that Cuba is no longer dominated or controlled
by the foreign organization controlling the world Communist
movement” – and the doors, complete with preferential
tariffs, would open for renewed trade with the United States.
It is the opinion of FFVA’s Washington counsel that lifting of the
embargo by presidential proclamation would result in automatic
reinstatement of the Cuban preferential rates and that no Senate action
would be required.
“Trade” under such a declaration, of course, would mean
imports of Cuban citrus and winter vegetables into the
United
States. The FFVA Executive Committee
and others present at the meeting with Congressman Kelly were united in
feeling such trade would be devastating to the Florida citrus
and vegetable industries.
In this connection, it should be noted Congressman Charles A. Vanik
of Ohio, chairman of the Subcommittee
on Trade, Committee on Ways and Means, has asked for recommendations for
amendments in U.S. laws to provide relief
from unfair trade practices. He is interested in input on inadequacy of
relief provisions and on unfair import practices and – under
provisions of the Anti-dumping Act of 1921 – price comparisons and
verification of data, particularly in cases involving
state-controlled-economy countries.
Congressman Kelly told FFVA’s executive committee that
“the momentum is toward normalizing relations with
Cuba” –
to the detriment of Florida’s citrus, winter
vegetable and tropical fruit industries. Kelly feels “…if we
play some hardball politics, then we may get a zero quota, at least
until 1990.” He has meet with Ambassador Robert Strauss, the
president’s trade and tariff negotiator, and feels positive about
talking with Strauss.
FFVA is in continuing contact with Rep. Kelly and other members of
the Florida Congressional delegation in
efforts to resolve this crisis.
Postscript: On June 19, 1979, Rep. Ted Weiss (D-NY) introduced
unsuccessful legislation to end the U.S. trade blockade against
Cuba and re-establish
diplomatic relations. In 1981, newly elected President Ronald Reagan
tightened the embargo, re-established the travel ban (which Carter had
dropped in 1977), prohibited U.S. citizens from spending money in
Cuba, and allowed a 1977
fishing accord to lapse.
Links to updates
http://www.miamiherald.com/579/story/1262329.html
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/front/story/76846.html
