The Intra-Industrial and Inter-Industrial Trade of Cuba after the Collapse of the Soviet Union and the Re-establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the United States of America

Abstract

This paper analyses the characteristics of the foreign trade of Cuba with its most important trade partners, from the so-called Special Period which was the result of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The absence of the Soviet bloc presented Cuba the necessity of structural changes in its economy and foreign trade. Trade between Cuba and its trade partners is a center-periphery type, where during the last time China outstands, as exporting center of manufactured goods and Cuba as supplier of raw materials. The economic embargo of United States to Cuba has limited the foreign trade, but lately United States has become a good supplier of Cuba, whereas Cuba has exported mostly art pieces and antiquities. Russia, once upon the most important trade partner, has now the same condition as China, as exporter to Cuba of manufactured goods and machinery, and Cuba as supplier of raw materials.