US removes limit on Cuban rum and cigar imports
US President Barack Obama has taken steps to cement his administration's rapprochement with Cuba, unveiling a new round of relaxed trade rules, including lifting limits on rum and cigar imports.
The new trade measures are intended to help Cubans improve their livelihood, Istanbul's World Bulletin reported.
Mr Obama said in a statement that the new policy directive laid out an official framework for continuing normalisation of relations with the island nation despite the US Congress not yet lifting the 50-year-old US trade embargo on Cuba.
"This new directive consolidates and builds upon the changes we've already made, promotes transparency by being clear about our policy and intentions, and encourages further engagement between our countries and our people," the US President said.
The changes could be reversed when a new administration takes office, according to unnamed senior administration officials who spoke to reporters in a conference call, but presidential directives generally remain in effect until further notice.
US President Barack Obama has taken steps to cement his administration's rapprochement with Cuba, unveiling a new round of relaxed trade rules, including lifting limits on rum and cigar imports.
The new trade measures are intended to help Cubans improve their livelihood, Istanbul's World Bulletin reported.
Mr Obama said in a statement that the new policy directive laid out an official framework for continuing normalisation of relations with the island nation despite the US Congress not yet lifting the 50-year-old US trade embargo on Cuba.
"This new directive consolidates and builds upon the changes we've already made, promotes transparency by being clear about our policy and intentions, and encourages further engagement between our countries and our people," the US President said.
The changes could be reversed when a new administration takes office, according to unnamed senior administration officials who spoke to reporters in a conference call, but presidential directives generally remain in effect until further notice.