Donald Trump 'reviewing Cuba policy', says White House

Donald Trump 'reviewing Cuba policy', says White House
Possible hardening of stance towards communist island follows improving
relations under Barack Obama
Tom Batchelor

White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during the daily press
briefing at the White House in Washington on 3 February AP
Donald Trump is to conduct a "full review" of America's foreign policy
towards Cuba, White House press secretary Sean Spicer has announced.

He said the President planned to look at "all" aspects of how the US
deals with its historic enemy, which lies just 90 miles south of Florida.

Human rights would be a key part of Mr Trump's revised policy towards
Cuba, the press secretary said.

During the final years of the Obama administration, the US softened its
stance towards its communist neighbour.

Mr Spicer's comments suggest Washington may take a harder line with
Cuba, raising the possibility of new trade embargoes and the
cancellation of commercial flights from the US, which were only recently
introduced.

Under Barack Obama, the US ended a policy that allowed any Cuban who
made it to American soil to stay and become a legal resident.

Ending the so-called 'wet foot, dry foot' rule was welcomed by Havana as
"an important step in advancing relations".

Mr Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro established full diplomatic
ties and opened embassies in their capitals in 2015. The former US
President visited Havana last March.

But Mr Trump has threatened to end the period of improving relations.

In November he tweeted: "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for
the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I
will terminate deal."

Source: Donald Trump 'reviewing Cuba policy', says White House | The
Independent -
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-cuba-white-house-policy-review-a7562201.html