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Vilsack ‘hopeful’ Cuban embargo will eventually be lifted

During last week’s visit to Iowa by a Cuban agricultural delegation, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he is hopeful that Congress will see fit to lift the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.

“I sincerely hope, at some point in time in the near future, Congress sees the wisdom of ending the embargo, allowing us to have an even closer relationship,” Vilsack said.

Cuba’s minister of agriculture Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero, speaking through an interpreter, also expressed hope that relations between the two countries will continue to improve.

“We believe there are many areas of agriculture in which we have common view—and what is left to be done is to deepen our collaboration,” Rodriguez said.

Vilsack says both he and President Obama believe that food and agriculture can serve as a bridge to foster collaboration between the two countries.  “Abraham Lincoln once said that the best way to eliminate an enemy is to make a friend,” Vilsack said. “I don’t know of anything more powerful, in making friendship and eliminating past challenges, than agriculture.”

The two officials made those comments last week during the Cuban delegation’s visit to a farm near Polk City.

AUDIO: Secretary Vilsack

AUDIO: Minister Rodriguez