He also saw a nation with great potential as a market for American farm products.
Trade involves far more than moving goods and services.
The flow of ideas and values also occurs. Cooperation and respect will dictate our actions, not misguided governmental decrees. Laurie called the recent move in Congress to liberalize trade in food and medicine with Cuba a good first step, but acknowledged that further reform is needed. He noted that U.S. government export assistance to all countries should be allowed. Because lifting unilateral sanctions is a long-held priority of American farmers, Laurie said the goal of overall sanctions reform will remain a target.