US companies face hurdles over Cuba trade

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Cargill aims to sell more corn and soybeans. MasterCard covets another site for Americans to swipe credit cards. Marriott sees beachfront property that needs hotels.

American businesses have begun imagining ways to capitalize on last week’s announcement that the U.S. will restore diplomatic ties with Cuba and ease curbs on trade with one of the last surviving Communist regimes.

Their more-ambitious plans would require that Congress lift the U.S. embargo on most exports to Cuba. Given sharp resistance from some in Congress, that might not happen soon. But many analysts think Congress will repeal the embargo.

“It’s great news — it’s a totally untapped market,” said Seth Kaplowitz, a lawyer at San Diego State University.

All that said, Cuba experts have a message for any business that might be envisioning easy riches: Be patient.