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Minnesota trade delegation visits Cuba on heels of Trump order

The leader of a trade delegation from Minnesota says visiting Cuba on the heels of President Trump’s order rolling back efforts to normalize relations with the communist country came at a good time.

Minnesota Lt. Governor Tina Smith led a group that included the state commissioner of agriculture, as well as representatives of various state commodity groups.

During a conference call with reporters Thursday, Smith says they hope to continue building their relationship with Cuba.

“The president specifically exempted agriculture in his comments, which leaves a door open for us to continue to explore opportunities to expand trade.”

President Trump’s executive order changes U.S. government policies on Cuba related to travel, tourism, and benefits to the Cuban military.

Minnesota Corn Growers president Harold Wolle (wooly) says while the President’s comments Friday might be perceived as a setback, he remains optimistic about trade with Cuba.

“We can continue to trade our ag commodities with Cuba.  Cuba has a definite need for credit, as do many of our other trading partners.  So this is a federal issue that we need to work on.”

Wolle says Cuba has a definite need for American ag products, including corn and high-protein feed supplements like dried distillers grains and soybean meal.