[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES-CUBA TRADE ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2000

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the ``United States-
Cuba Trade Act of 2000,'' to supplement legislation I introduced last 
year, H.R. 229, the ``Free Trade with Cuba Act.'' The United States-
Cuba Trade Act of 2000 will make the necessary changes to the U.S. 
Tariff Schedule and ensure that Cuba is not subjected to Title IV of 
the Trade Act of 1974, the so-called ``Jackson-Vanik'' amendment. (It 
is unclear whether the ``Jackson-Vanik'' amendment applies to Cuba, but 
the proposed legislation will eliminate any ambiguity in the law.) The 
legislation also calls on the President to take any appropriate actions 
in the World Trade Organization to restore full trading relations with 
Cuba, once the legislation is passed.
  H.R. 229 repeals the legislative authority of the trade embargo 
against Cuba. The bill I am introducing today will, when applied in 
conjunction with H.R. 229, fully normalize trade relations with Cuba.
  It makes no sense for the U.S. to trade with communist China, 
communist Vietnam, and other communist and formerly communist countries 
while continuing a 40-year old failed effort to promote reform in Cuba 
by isolating her people.
  The 40 year old embargo has not achieved the intended result--
isolation has not promoted political and economic reforms. In fact, 
here we are, 40 years later, and Fidel Castro is still in power, having 
outlasted almost 10 U.S. Presidents.
  Many of the proponents of the China PNTR bill spoke eloquently about 
the benefits of trade with Communist countries, including the political 
message that it sends to the people and leadership of those countries 
about the benefits of freedom and the strengths of America's economy 
and society. However, some of these same proponents now balk when asked 
to apply these same principles to Cuba. It is hard for me to understand 
why in the view of some, these principles apply with such force to 
China, but not to Cuba. American businesses, workers and products are 
our best ambassadors--whether we are talking about China or Cuba.

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