Home Categories About
argument top image
Should the US maintain the embargo against Cuba? Should the US maintain the embargo against Cuba?
Yes, the US should maintain the embargo. Yes, the US should maintain the embargo.
No, the US should lift the embargo. No, the US should lift the embargo.
Lifting the embargo would economically strengthen a dictatorial regime Lifting the embargo would economically strengthen a dictatorial regime
Cuba has never met the conditions needed to lift the embargo Cuba has never met the conditions needed to lift the embargo
The Cuban government is hostile to the US The Cuban government is hostile to the US
The Embargo has achieved nothing The Embargo has achieved nothing
The Cold War is over The Cold War is over
The embargo has hurt innocent Cuban people The embargo has hurt innocent Cuban people
Lifting the embargo will stimulate the US economy Lifting the embargo will stimulate the US economy
The Cuban-American Lobby is holding the US to ransom The Cuban-American Lobby is holding the US to ransom
Debate Mini Map

Should the US maintain the embargo against Cuba?
Back to question

No, the US should lift the embargo.

< (2 of 2)

Lifting the embargo will stimulate the US economy

America is set to be Cuba's biggest trading partner. Reforms that have liberalized trade with Cuba have already produced millions of dollars in revenue. The embargo should be lifted so that the US can benefit economically.
Daniel Griswold
< (4 of 5) Next argument >

The Argument

The US embargo has meant that America has lost out on what would be one of its biggest trading partners. In 2000 when cash only sales were briefly allowed by the US government on agricultural and medicinal products to Cuba, the US made millions. If the US replaced Cuba’s current principal trading partners which is likely due to proximity and cheapness, it could make millions more. America would also benefit from an expanded tourist industry in Cuba, which would undoubtedly sell US to products to the wider world if exports were normalized.[1] Trade reforms have made Cuba the 25th biggest importer of American agricultural products. Some of Cuba’s current biggest problems would be solved by trading with American firms. The US is an important exporter of agricultural equipment and medical equipment, two things which Cuba is desperately in need of. Manufacturers and farmers in Texas in particular, would gain from an opening of trade relations.[2] The US is likely to become Cuba's biggest trading partner and would gain many economic benefits from dropping the embargo. Trading with Cuba will stimulate certain sectors of the US economy.

Counter arguments

Trade with Cuba is immoral. The Cuban regime is oppressive and authoritarian. The US is full of Cuban-Americans who will feel betrayed by their own government if the US opens up trade with Cuba. Opening up trade with Cuba requires the US to ignore the many hostile actions the government has carried out against the US.[3] Cuba is still harboring US fugitives and there are a number of outstanding claims against the government, including indictments against those responsible for shooting down of two US planes in 1996.[4] The amount of money the US stands to gain is irrelevant, trade with Cuba is wrong.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Cuba would be one of America's biggest customers if the embargo were lifted. [P2] Trade with Cuba would boost the US economy. [C] The embargo should be lifted to help stimulate the US economy.

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/jun/15/cuba-us-trade-embargo-obama
  2. https://www.cato.org/publications/speeches/four-decades-failure-us-embargo-against-cuba
  3. https://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/02/opinion/rubio-cuba-embargo/index.html
  4. https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/05/22/rubio-diaz-balart-want-trump-to-charge-cubas-castro-for-96-shootdown-of-planes-433300

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Saturday, 17 Oct 2020 at 22:41 UTC

Explore related arguments