Funding threat for US ports with Cuban trade

The new budget proposal could stop over $100m in seaport funding being used for port improvement projects as a result of the expansion of trade with the country. This potentially risks Fort Lauderdale losing over $125m in funding over the next five years and $920,000 this year alone for the Port of Palm beach.

It reads: “No funds in Specific Appropriations 1873 through 1876 may be allocated to infrastructure projects that result in the expansion of trade with the Cuban dictatorship because of their continued human rights abuses.”

It has previously been announced that he had opposed plans by the Port of Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to sign agreements with Cuba when delegates visited early this month.

A Cuban business delegation toured Port Everglades earlier this month but the planned signing of a cooperation was said to have been cancelled due to Governor Scott’s threats. The Port of Palm Beach also called off its plans to sin a Cuba deal this month.

Port Everglades issued a statement saying: “The National Port Administration of Cuba has indicated to Port Everglades administration that there is no need for a memorandum of understanding at this time. However, today’s business meeting and related activities will continue as planned.”

It has been reported in the local media that the Cuban delegation has already paid visits to ports in Houston and New Orleans, and has plans to call at the Port Tampa Bay and the Port of Virginia in Norfolk before it returns to Cuba.

It is unclear what visits from the Cuban authorities will achieve while political policies in the US are still uncertain. Most port authorities have taken the stance that no decisions can be made until the Trump administration clarifies its plans.