Congressman Cohen to Travel to Cuba with Secretary Kerry for the Reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Havana

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) will travel with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday to take part in the official re-opening of the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Congressman Cohen has long been an outspoken supporter of lifting the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba which has been in effect since 1960. Congressman Cohen has communicated this priority to the President on several occasions. Late last year, President Obama announced his intention to reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba.

“The re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba and our Embassy in Havana reopening will help promote human rights and freedom in a country where we have had little influence for too long,” said Congressman Cohen. “I look forward to being there with Secretary Kerry when the American flag is raised once again over our Embassy in Havana and I appreciate President Obama boldly moving forward to normalize relations with Cuba.The normalization of relations with Cuba will eventually open new trade avenues for Memphis entrepreneurs and businesses, including AutoZone for the nation’s aging American cars, FedEx, medical device companies and health-industry professionals. It will also improve Americans’ freedom to travel—and it is the right thing to do.”

Congressman Cohen is also a cosponsor of the Free Trade with Cuba Act, which would lift the long-standing embargo on trade with Cuba to give American companies their fair share. Cuba sits 90 miles off the U.S. coast and has a GDP of $60 billion. The longer American businesses are locked out of Cuba, the longer they will lose a foothold for trade and investment in this expanding market. U.S. businesses are falling behind foreign competitors who are increasing their participation in the Cuban market.