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Vilsack sees positives in Cuba trip

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is accompanying President Obama on his trip to Cuba this week.

Vilsack says he will be discussing opportunities for collaboration in agriculture between the U.S. and Cuba.

“We’re going to Cuba to continue to develop the relationship at a personal level with Cuban officials in agriculture,” Vilsack says. “I think we’re prepared to take a positive step forwards and we’ll be talking more about that in the very near future.”

Vilsack spoke with reporters last week from Santiago, Chile, the final stop on a trade mission to Peru and Chile. Vilsack says President Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba have been well-received in those South American countries.

“Leader from both countries have indicated that this is going to help America’s place—or position—in South America,” he says. “It’s going to help us over time, I think, create stronger relationships, which ultimately may very well increase trade opportunities as well in other South American countries.”

This will be Vilsack’s second trip to Cuba. Last November, Vilsack led a delegation of U.S. government officials traveling to Havana for a series of meetings in the interest of strengthening bilateral agricultural engagement.