Ok, what have they done for us since Obama opened things up. What baby step did they make in our direction??
Obama certainly didn't open up much, he couldn't. Most of the ban is congressionally mandated, by law. And it hasn't even been 3 years yet.
Remember, I said that it would take time to build up the trade to have influence. I was thinking in terms of decades for that.
Obama's opening is tiny:
1. Reopening American Embassy in Cuba (Not an economic move)
2. Licensed travel. To get a license travelers have to have a specific reason on a list to go to Cuba, and "tourism" isn't on the list. I also remember reading that licenses were hard to get.
3. Cuban Cigars, up to $100(combined with any alcohol products) from "licensed" US travelers.
Not a lot there... #3 would explain the declining cachet for cuban cigars though. They had value as forbidden fruit, mostly.
Not a lot of information about the last 3 years. Last major reform was actually in 2011:
In 2011, "The new economic reforms were introduced, effectively creating a new economic system, referred by some as the "New Cuban Economy"[46][47][48] Since then, over four hundred thousand Cubans have signed up to be entrepreneurs. As of 2012, the government lists 181 official jobs no longer under their control—such as taxi driver, construction worker and shopkeeper. Workers may purchase licenses to work as a mule driver, palm tree trimmer, well-digger, button covered and "dandy"—gentleman in traditional elegant white suit and hat.[49] Despite these openings Cuba maintains nationalized companies for the distribution of all essential amenities (water, power, ...) and other essential services to ensure a healthy population (education, health care).
The biggest was that they legalized the sale and private ownership of homes and cars.
I'd consider that a good 'baby step'.
