UN Calls on US to Lift Cuba Sanctions, Trade Barriers

United Nations human rights experts are urging the U.S. to lift sanctions and other trade measures against Cuba to help the country respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an April 30 news release. The UN called on the U.S. to lift trade barriers, tariffs, quotas and other non-tariff measures that may be blocking Cuban imports of humanitarian goods. The experts said U.S. policy toward Cuba creates a “cumbersome and expensive licensing process” for exports. They also said the U.S. has “ignored repeated calls to waive sanctions that undermine the capacity of Cuba and other countries to respond effectively to the pandemic.” The Treasury Department said it maintains sufficient exemptions for humanitarian trade (see 2004170017 and 2004100044).