Heitkamp: Cuba Trip Provides Momentum For Trade

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says the first presidential visit to Cuba in nearly a century provides "great momentum" for normalizing relations with the communist nation and boosting agricultural trade.

The Democrat from North Dakota accompanied President Barack Obama on his trip to Cuba this month. She says one of the highlights was the announcement by the U.S. Agriculture Department that it will allow the use of producer checkoff dollars to promote trade with Cuba.

North Dakota has long looked at Cuba as a potentially big market for farm goods. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven and state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring also have visited the country in recent years.

Heitkamp says there are still barriers to trade, and an effort by Cuba to improve human rights would help soften opposition in Congress.