The State, Treasury, and Commerce departments unveiled regulations, outlined by President Trump in June, to keep dollars out of the hands of Cuban military and intelligence agencies. The U.S.–Cuba Trade and Economic Council, which tracks trade between the nations, said there should be no impact on sales of U.S. farm goods or equipment to the island.
The new regulations are aimed primarily at tourist travel to Cuba. They also encourage American interaction with Cuba’s nascent private sector and discourage financial transactions with businesses linked to Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. Contracts already in place or business licenses issued in the past will remain in force.
Caterpillar and Deere & Co. announced agreements in the past week “with the Cuban government that might let the two Illinois-based companies sell farm tractors and other heavy equipment on the island,” said DTN/The Progressive Farmer. “Caterpillar was the first out of the chute at the Havana International Fair with an announcement late last week that its Puerto Rico-based distributor — RIMCO — will set up shop in Cuba.” Deere said it might sell several hundred tractors and associated equipment over a four-year period.