January 17,2025

Wyden Introduces Bill to End Cuba Embargo, Establish Normal Trade Relations

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced the U.S.-Cuba Trade Act of 2025 to repeal outdated sanctions on Cuba and establish normal trade relations with the island nation.

Wyden introduced the bill after the Biden White House announced this week it was removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and Cuba agreed to free a number of political prisoners. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., co-sponsored the legislation.

“Attempting to isolate Cuba is a failed, outdated strategy that punishes the Cuban people and shuts off American influence and investment that could benefit both U.S. farmers and ranchers and Cuban small businesses,” Wyden said. “The Trump administration’s insistence on barricading Cuba while embracing authoritarian regimes in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere is backwards and counterproductive to American values and influence.”

The U.S.-Cuba Trade Act would repeal the major statutes that codify sanctions against Cuba, including the Helms-Burton Act and the Cuban Democracy Act, as well as other provisions that impact trade, investment, and travel with Cuba. It would also establish normal trade relations with the country. The International Trade Commission found in 2016 that easing U.S. restrictions on trade and business with Cuba could increase U.S. exports by $1.4 billion annually in the next five years, with even bigger gains possible.

The bill text is available here.

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