End the U.S. embargo on Cuba

Since 1960, the United States has had an embargo on trade with Cuba. It is estimated that the cost of this embargo to the United States is as much as $4.8 billion per year, while it only affects Cuba $685 million annually, and Cubans still manage to get American goods. While the travel ban has been eased for Cuban Americans, students, and missionaries, the trade and travel embargoes remain mainly intact. Unsettled financial claims and diplomatic disputes have prevented re-establishing trade with Cuba, but polls show 51% of Americans in favor of ending the embargo. In the 53 years since its creation, the embargo has done nothing to change Cuba. The Cold War has ended; Cuba is no longer a threat to the United States. It is time to restore free trade and get over our old tiff with Cuba.