American Made Cuban Brands

[PeeJay]

Aren't the Chinese and the Canadians already sucking up Cuban oil? (Yes that is unfortunate!)

[butternutsquashpie]

Aren't the Chinese and the Canadians already sucking up Cuban oil? (Yes that is unfortunate!)

not enough to make a true difference, i don't think.
Cuba imports a lot of oil from Socialist Venezuela. but their reserve estimates rise every year with more and more scouting being done on their land...

i wouldn't be surprised if Varadero sat on a giant subterranean vat of Black gold [actually, i would. but you get the point i'm trying to make!!]

[searsa1]

Alright... The epoch? haa been lifted. I'm up for discussing socioeconomic situations, too

The Cubans have a variety of untapped resources which include, but is not limited to, Nickel-Lithium mines, untapped petro due to unscouted land (guesses), sugar plantations from the days of Spanish Conquistadors, Cuban fishing goods that aren't accessible to the Yanks.
due to their lack of partners and government controlled industries, they leave most of their reserves untapped. Nickel (and therefore platinum, palladium, and other noble metals) reserves are left unscathed, petro reserves are unscouted, and sugar plantations are left running at minimal capacities. Oh and let's not forget about tourism!

Nickel Mines first:
Nickel is chemically similar to platinum and palladium: both more valuable to gold. They exist in the same veins along with Magnesium and Lithium. All of these (especially lithium with the battery boom) are valuable minerals with worth to EVERY electronic industry. Let alone the steel industry.
Lifting of the embargo means possible American industries and equipment for mining it out. But more effectively, it means a nation to actually sell it to other than China and Canada who already have their fill of Nickel mines. America, on the other hand, would love some development and cheap Metals.

Petro:
Not mentioned as widely because it hasn't been scouted yet. In other words, looking at the geographic placement of Cuba near the Gulf, there's a decent chance that Cuba has some undiscovered oil reserves it's sitting on. Besides, America is content with its Venezuelan oil and the *ahem* other reserves it has worldwide. Imagine dealing with oil reserves so close to the mainland... Need i say more?

Sugar:
Currently, the Yanks get most of their sugar from Brasil. Cuba need not produce because of the demand. Who would import huge amounts of Cuban Sugar when it's available all throughout the world? America would definitely buy Cuban sugar due to the proximity and ease. That's just economically sensible.

Tourism:
Forbidden fruit is finally available. Along with cigars, naturally. You should be able to guess how and why that'd REALLY benefit them, no?


A huge economical boom is possible if its closest trading partner opens its gates. Seeing this [now] huge gain for both parties, it's only logical to open the gates when you consider everything that can happen.
But of course, an antithesis can be posed that says American industries will simply start to annex all of Cuba's reserves, sucking them dry. But Cuban nationalisation may stop it. Or it may not. Political relations isn't my strong suit... Searsy, want to weigh in on that?

Benefits TO Cuba?
Basic commodities of life: Colgate toothpaste, Walmart shirts, Downy toiletries, FOOD. And probable economic stability.

At this point Cuba needs foreign investment more than anything else. I would argue the oil thing at this point as Repsol pulled out 2012. I don't see them becoming self sufficient any time soon. While everything you listed might be a win/win situation the political situation in this country is such that it is not worth the capital expenditure to do anything. The current administration has been in talks with Cuba about establishing direct mail service between the 2 countries and can't even get that sorted out. Economically the US does not need Cuba. Until the government of Cuba changes to our liking or they have something we need the embargo will stay. P&G are not on the phone with a lobbyist everyday because they can't sell toothpaste to Cuba. They would like to but it is just not a large enough market for them to really push for.

[butternutsquashpie]

the political situation in this country is such that it is not worth the capital expenditure to do anything. The current administration has been in talks with Cuba about establishing direct mail service between the 2 countries and can't even get that sorted out. Economically the US does not need Cuba. Until the government of Cuba changes to our liking or they have something we need the embargo will stay. P&G are not on the phone with a lobbyist everyday because they can't sell toothpaste to Cuba. They would like to but it is just not a large enough market for them to really push for.

there's the political side!
honestly, i was hoping for something less depressing... P&G actually does sell toothepaste to Cuba. But they have to use their sidearm company through China to do it. When you go there, you'll see the little shops have Colgate in stores. But the tube looks kinda off so you go in for a closer look. Upon closer inspection, you'll see the chinese calligraphy and then you realise how much red tape needs to be cut in order to get something SO BASIC as toothpaste into Cuba.

But alas, you are right. USA will benefit to help, say, 1% of their economy. Cuba will probably benefit the same numerically. But 1% of the US economy to Cuba is huge!

It's kinda like the drinking age, really. Everyone who wants to change it, don't have a voice because of their age. Then people who are over 21 say: "i've waited this long to drink so all of you will too!" Spite is deserving of it's own place on the deadliest sins.

[searsa1]

there's the political side!
honestly, i was hoping for something less depressing... P&G actually does sell toothepaste to Cuba. But they have to use their sidearm company through China to do it. When you go there, you'll see the little shops have Colgate in stores. But the tube looks kinda off so you go in for a closer look. Upon closer inspection, you'll see the chinese calligraphy and then you realise how much red tape needs to be cut in order to get something SO BASIC as toothpaste into Cuba.

But alas, you are right. USA will benefit to help, say, 1% of their economy. Cuba will probably benefit the same numerically. But 1% of the US economy to Cuba is huge!

It's kinda like the drinking age, really. Everyone who wants to change it, don't have a voice because of their age. Then people who are over 21 say: "i've waited this long to drink so all of you will too!" Spite is deserving of it's own place on the deadliest sins.

They also have Coca-Cola there. It comes from Mexico.

[butternutsquashpie]

They also have Coca-Cola there. It comes from Mexico.

aye. it's the 'better' one because they use actual sucrose!
well... i think it's slightly better

[PeeJay]

My wife was quite upset by small children offering to sell her toothpaste to raise money

[butternutsquashpie]

My wife was quite upset by small children offering to sell her toothpaste to raise money

i feel like there needs a backstory to this..........

and a frontstory.

[PeeJay]

Just what happened in Havana on our last visit

[tommy]

I went to India 20yrs ago, kids would ask for ten rupee about 20p at the time. Four years ago I went to Sri Lanka, some kids were pestering me for cash so I let one of them have 200 r thinking I was being quite generous, the kid didn't want it! He asked me for 1000!
The world is a fucked up place when beggars have a minimum spend...

[ValeTudoGuy]

I remember being in rural Thailand in the 80's, I would have been about 6.

It was surreal, I was a very blonde child and whole villages of people would come out to see a blonde white child. Parents would ask if their daughter's could hold my hand or touch my hair for good luck.

There was a kid about my age wearing rags at the side of a dirt track with his mother and they were selling coconuts for whatever people would give them.

I don't know what came over me but I took my shoes and t-shirt off and just walked up to the boy and gave them to him. He was over the moon and his mother cried.

My Grandad asked me what made me do it as we drove away and I just said because he needed them more than we did. My Grandad said he was proud and that I should never forget how little some people have.

I will remember that boy for the rest of my life, I wonder what he's doing now and if he ever remembers me?