Friday, June 16, 2017

Trump's New Cuba Policy Is More About Hotels Than Human Rights

President Trump's new policy on Cuba is more about hotels than human rights.

From CNN:

Even Americans traveling legally to Cuba, according to the new Trump policy, would not be able to stay in any hotel connected to the Cuban military, including the Four Points by Sheraton in Havana.

The Trump proposal would include exemptions to this policy, but none appear to include hotels like the Sheraton or future projects.

Trump told CNN in 2016 that he was interested in opening a hotel in Cuba "when we're allowed to do it." But Trump's company pledged before his presidency that they would not pursue any foreign deals while he was in the White House, putting off any possible entry into the Cuban market.

But the decision to prohibit business with GAESA to direct tourists to private companies and AirBnB is an example of Trump's ability to impact his business' competitors while in the White House. Trump's prohibition, in effect, puts other hotel companies on equal footing with his personal company -- not allowed to pursue future business in Cuba.

Let's remember that Trump isn't closing any embassies here, just a few embassy suites. 

A future Democratic President will surely undo Trump's Cuba policy. But no sooner than the ink is dry on this new policy than Trump will announce the construction of a Trump Hotel in Havana. 

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