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US Commerce Secretary Pritzker in Cuba for embargo talks | US Commerce Secretary Pritzker in Cuba for embargo talks |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has arrived in Cuba for two days of talks focusing on the US embargo on the communist-run island. | The United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has arrived in Cuba for two days of talks focusing on the US embargo on the communist-run island. |
Ms Pritzker will discuss recent measures approved by the US to mitigate the impact of the embargo. | Ms Pritzker will discuss recent measures approved by the US to mitigate the impact of the embargo. |
Since the US and Cuba announced last year they were restoring relations, President Barack Obama has pushed for the restrictions to be scrapped. | Since the US and Cuba announced last year they were restoring relations, President Barack Obama has pushed for the restrictions to be scrapped. |
But he faces opposition from the Republican majority in the US Congress. | But he faces opposition from the Republican majority in the US Congress. |
Ms Pritzker is the most senior American official to visit Cuba since Secretary of State John Kerry reopened the embassy in Havana in July. | Ms Pritzker is the most senior American official to visit Cuba since Secretary of State John Kerry reopened the embassy in Havana in July. |
Shortly after landing in Havana, she visited the Special Enterprise Zone, an area developed near the Mariel port to encourage foreign investment. | Shortly after landing in Havana, she visited the Special Enterprise Zone, an area developed near the Mariel port to encourage foreign investment. |
On Wednesday, she is due to meet the Cuban trade and foreign ministers for discussions on the embargo. | On Wednesday, she is due to meet the Cuban trade and foreign ministers for discussions on the embargo. |
'Slow pace of change' | 'Slow pace of change' |
The US announced in recent weeks a number of measures to encourage trade even with the embargo still in place. | The US announced in recent weeks a number of measures to encourage trade even with the embargo still in place. |
American companies will no longer be breaking US law for setting up premises in Cuba, the US authorities announced. | American companies will no longer be breaking US law for setting up premises in Cuba, the US authorities announced. |
But the Cuban government needs to lift some of its own bureaucratic and legal obstacles for the measures to work, says the BBC's Will Grant in Havana. | But the Cuban government needs to lift some of its own bureaucratic and legal obstacles for the measures to work, says the BBC's Will Grant in Havana. |
There may be some reluctance from the Cuban authorities to allow a faster pace of change while there are other issues pending, such as new civil aviation rules, ferry services between Florida and Cuba and greater internet access. | There may be some reluctance from the Cuban authorities to allow a faster pace of change while there are other issues pending, such as new civil aviation rules, ferry services between Florida and Cuba and greater internet access. |
President Barack Obama met Cuban leader Raul Castro on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last week. | President Barack Obama met Cuban leader Raul Castro on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last week. |
Mr Castro told the UN that normal relations would only be possible if the US abolished its trade embargo. | Mr Castro told the UN that normal relations would only be possible if the US abolished its trade embargo. |
The first American economic sanctions against Cuba were imposed in 1960. |
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