U.S. Eases Travel and Trade Rules on Cuba

Swiftly expanding trade ties with Cuba, the Obama administration this month opened the door to easier travel and a wide range of new export opportunities with the island country, reported news.myway.com.

The Commerce and Treasury departments unveiled new rules last week permitting U.S. citizens to visit Cuba without special permits, poking a large hole in America’s 54-year embargo.

Most U.S. travelers will still be required to go on supervised group trips, but now virtually any U.S. company or organization can offer such trips without the paperwork and inspections that discouraged past expansion of travel to Cuba.

American companies now will also be permitted to export telephones, computers and Internet technology, and to send supplies to private Cuban firms. However, Cuban authorities have said nothing about restrictions they might impose on U.S. products entering the country.

U.S. officials say American companies will have to weigh for themselves the risks of their exports colliding with Cuban bans.