LatinNews Daily - 22 February 2024

*A delegation led by the US non-profit association, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (Nasda), has travelled to Cuba where it has met with Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel, officials from Cuba’s agriculture ministry, and others to discuss opportunities and challenges to trade. The delegation from Nasda, which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 US states and four US territories, is visiting Cuba from 18-22 February. According to an official press release, the purpose of the visit is to “identify and address trade barriers for US agricultural products, gain a better understanding of trade rules and regulations as well as the political and economic environment in order to strengthen the US’ trade relationship with Cuba”. The Nasda delegation was due to meet with government officials, as well as industry and private sector leaders, to “learn more about how the US and Cuba can collaborate in the future”. The US agriculture sector has been one of the most active in pushing for the lifting of US embargo restrictions, which include some exceptions for agricultural products (the US created a loophole in 2000 to allow for food sales to Cuba).