WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States extends for one year a federal law that restricts trade with Cuba, US President Barack Obama announced in a memorandum on Tuesday.
"I hereby determine that the continuation for 1 year of the exercise of those authorities with respect to Cuba is in the national interest of the United States,’ Obama stated.
The restrictions, introduced under the Trading with the Enemy Act, will remain in effect until September 14, 2017, according to the memorandum.
In December 2014, Obama announced the United States would normalize relations with Cuba after more than 50 years of non-engagement and hostilities. While the two countries reopened embassies in their respective capitals in July 2015, the congressionally-mandated US trade embargo continues to remain in effect.
