Trump tweeted out the above this morning and his incoming chief of staff, Reince Preibus, says that Trump is “absolutely” willing to eliminate the opening of diplomatic relations with Cuba begun by President Barack Obama.

The outdated and counterproductive policy of isolation with Cuba achieved nothing other than increasing the suffering of the Cuban people, and normalization was years, or decades, overdue (for what it’s worth, diplomatic engagement with Cuba is supported by 58 percent of American public and opposed by just 25 percent).

Advertisement

Sen. Tom Cotton was one of the Republicans in Congress vigorously committed to continuing the failed policy; he will no doubt be heard from soon on this issue. Cotton is not just a neoconservative hawk, but a bellicose hard liner who seems reflexively opposed to diplomacy of any kind.

Sen. John Boozman, meanwhile, had a different take from Cotton back when Obama initiated the détente: 

Advertisement

While there were good intentions behind our isolation policy toward Cuba, it simply has not worked. We’ve run the same play over and over again for fifty years and the results have not changed. That’s why I support the decision to reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba and reopen our respective embassies. This will create a conduit to send American goods and services to Cuba and, along with that, American ideas. That truly is the way you change the world. A free and open Cuba is not going to materialize under isolation. It is time to try a new approach.

Wise words. Boozman is surely also influenced by the interests of Arkansas farmers and agribusiness, who strongly support an opening for trade with Cuba, which has a high demand for soybeans, rice, and corn. Gov. Asa Hutchinson has been at the forefront of outreach to Cuba, making a trip there last year to promote trade opportunities for Arkansas. Are Trump’s comments just bluster? Hutchinson and Arkansas agriculture interests will be watching closely.

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article Medicaid expansion could be on chopping block, but some red-state governors want to keep it Next article Weed, Jesus and Arkansas