The Americas
Americas view
Economist Asks
Free trade awaits
Feb 22nd 2011, 20:45 by The Economist online
THE United States has been stalling for years on the ratification of its free-trade agreements with Colombia and Panama, but The Economist's readers are an optimistic bunch. 63% of them say they expect the deals to be approved in 2011. Maybe this time really will be different.
This week's Economist Asks question addresses another contentious aspect of American foreign policy: the trade embargo against Cuba. The United States has long said it will not make significant changes to its stance on Cuba unless the Castros implement real political liberalisation. One of America's most important demands has been the release of all political prisoners. Cuba's government has been freeing prisoners for months, and is on track to empty its jails of them. Do you think America should respond by loosening the embargo, even in the absence of democratic elections? Let us know.
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Have we ever demanded that China release all of its political prisoners? Cuba is a WTO member... It's called MFN America! US Trade Policy picks and choses when and where it should apply the tenants of free trade at will!