Double standard: Yes to communist China, but no to communist Cuba?

Question

Why does the United States maintain diplomatic relations and trade with China, and still maintain an embargo on Cuba? Very contradictory isn't it?

Answer 1

Whats the double standard ?

Nations have relations with other countries based on thier national interest.

It is in America's national interest to have diplomatic relations with China, the most populus country on earth.

There is no national interest to have relations with Cuba.

Believe it or not, no nation treats all other countries the same.

There is probally not a country on earth, that has diplomatic relations with ALL other countries.

There are just to many countries.

So most nations make deals with friendly countries to represent them diplomaticly.

Answer 2

I think that if you followed 1950 ideology (McCarthy-ism), then you are pointing out a valid confusion. However, the reason that the Government of the United States does not trust Communist and authoritarian regimes, is due to the lack of fair representation of it's people, and the control of freedoms by the governments. Contrast this to the need of our own people, to buy cheaper Nike's, and computers. Our trade needs dictate alliances with China. China is the central issue here, N. Korea and Cuba are really too small to be of any actual concern. China's government likes to think it is innocent. However, China has quite a brutal history of warfare. It is the modern revolution in the 20's that formed the current Communist based system. Tiannamen Square is a prime example of the corruption of this system. While we are far from perfect, we strive to improve our system. Having a change of power every 4 years is part of this. Our system can repair itself. Communist systems, so far, in the past, have all been brought down by corruption. It's an interesting idea on paper, but rarely works on the big scale, for the long-term. I have read an interview by Hu Jintao, and he believes in creating a multi-party system at some point in China's future. I think the human need for trade and business, will eventually overcome our political and ideological differences.

Answer 3

Cuba doesn't have anything we want. There is also a very vocal and very organized group of Cuba Americans who oppose normalizing relations with Cuba and they make sure that their members of Congress prevent change. No other politicians care enough to make it an issue.

Answer 4

Because Clinton granted the Chinese most favored nation (trading) status almost immediately upon entering office the first time.

Most likely in conjunction with Hillary's having stepped down from her position on the board of Wal-Mart just months before.

And, the Clintons are only now, when Hillary is seeking the White House, selling their stock in that company and only because of the criticism leveled against them based upon it. Otherwise, if left up to them, they saw no problem, no conflict of interest and no loyalty to all those libs who have worked so hard to expose the inner workings of Wal-Mart to the public.

In fact, both Clintons helped establish Wal-Mart as a company that successfully forced job overseas and cut the throats of small business owners and low wage workers throughout our country.

I don't know why they didn't take it the next step and set Cuba up with Home Depot contracts.

Answer 5

We don't accept communist governments in the Western Hemisphere.

You can have all you want in the Eastern Hemisphere. We just don't want them too close to home.

My question is, if the embargo was designed to force Castro out of power, and 50 years later he's still there, don't you think we ought to admit it's not working?

Answer 6

What does Cuba have to offer? China has quite a bit. China is a large, powerful country in terms of population and economy.

Answer 7

U.S foreign policy has always been hypcritical and contradictory. We supported the Fascist Pinochet in Chili who murdered thousands of his own countrymen including the democratically elected president, Allende. Yet, we still maintain this arcane embargo with Cuba. It's insane. I find it ironic that we can't go to Cuba because our government says that Cuba limits the people's freedoms on Cuba.

Answer 8

Bay of Pigs didnt happen in China!!! so far we havent had the possibility of nuclear war with them plus China's communism i heard is different than Cuba or other communisms.

Answer 9

Probably one of the main reasons is they hold the notes on a trillion dollars worth of our debt. If Cuba held that much, I am sure we would be bosom buddies with them, too.

Answer 10

my hats off to a well phrased paradox

i love the sanctimony among the other answerers. Some days republicans claim to be for the oppressed people, but given this subject, they hate the population Castro has oppressed even more than they hate Castro.

After all, he must have some money.

Jesus my lord I hate republican america.