© Reuters/StringerA boy wears the U.S. colors in Havana, Cuba
A Cuban trade delegation arrived in the United States this week to visit four states and six ports, even as the Trump administration pondered what to do with a fragile detente initiated by its predecessor.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to scrap the move to normalize relations between Washington and Havana, one of former President Barack Obama's signature foreign policy initiatives, if he doesn't get "a better deal".
Port authorities along the U.S. Southern coast are strong proponents of increased trade and travel with Cuba, and some have expressed interest in using Mariel, located on the northwest coast of the Caribbean island, as a transshipment hub.
"We're hopeful that when the Trump Administration conducts a thorough review of U.S.-Cuba policy, they will see how enhanced cooperation between our port terminals and the Port of Mariel, would be very beneficial to U.S. export industries, U.S. ports with access to Mariel's shipping lanes and could create jobs across the country," said James Williams, president of the Engage Cuba coalition that helped facilitate the trip.
Delegations from the ports of Houston, New Orleans, Norfolk, Virginia, and Port Everglades, Palm Beach and Tampa in Florida, have already visited Mariel, often with top local and state executives.
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