Opinion: Cuba is historic opportunity for Mo. ag

Nearly 60 years have passed since the Cuban missile crisis, but many in our generation still remember vividly the events that brought our nation to the brink of nuclear war. Back then, restoring normal diplomatic relations with Cuba – let alone exchanging goods and services – was unthinkable.

While there remains serious political, moral and ideological disagreements between our two nations, a lot has changed since 1962. The numbers speak for themselves.

• 100,000 Americans visit Cuba each year.

• $2 million in food products will be imported to Cuba this year.

• 6,000 jobs are supported by every $1 billion in U.S. exports.

• 90 miles between the American and Cuban borders.

This adds up to a tremendous opportunity to boost demand for the products we raise, grow and make here in the heartland through expanded trade with Cuba.

With more than $2 billion in agricultural exports annually, Missouri farmers and ranchers continue to feed, fuel and clothe the world. We’re also one of the few states to be a Top 10 producer of agricultural goods ranging from corn, cotton and cattle to soybeans, rice, turkeys and chickens.

Lifting these trade barriers is also an opportunity to extend the reach of our democratic values and ideals. Throughout the world, we have seen examples of how the free exchange of goods and ideas can advance freedom and democracy.

That is why, since the president’s announcement in December, we have been committed to exploring ways to open new avenues for competitive trade with Cuba. In January, Missouri helped lead the public launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition on Cuba, an organization that now includes over 40 agriculture groups urging Congress to stand up for American producers and lift the trade embargo with Cuba.

In March, we will join leading national and state commodity groups on a trade mission to Havana to make sure that Missouri goods arrive in Cuba.

Current sanctions force American producers to market their products through a narrow and out-dated process that greatly limits their ability to sell goods to Cuban consumers and businesses and puts them at a competitive disadvantage globally.

While America is standing down, countries such as Brazil, Spain and Argentina are stepping up, significantly increasing their exports to Cuba. Without action soon, the U.S. will continue to be edged out by countries that have less-stringent restrictions.

Now is the time for Congress to follow through and remove these finance restrictions, lift the embargo and do away with the self-imposed barriers that are holding us back. All we need is an open door, and the innovative, hard-working farm families from Missouri and across the country will do the rest.

—Gov. Jay Nixon and nine state agriculture leaders