It’s very “hands off”, much like soviet investment in the country. Like, you see tons of Chinese-made cars and buses, their internet and telephony infra is Chinese and farming equipment is often from them as well. However, all of that is implemented and maintained by the Cuban people, where China has sent personnel to other countries to build out that infrastructure.
I think most of their energy and food imports are still Russian though, which of course means the country grinds to a halt pretty quick if that supply is cut. Cuba has basically no petroleum resources and is also heavily dependent on trucks to move good around (as in basically no functioning rail infrastructure and what’s there is soviet-era and thus not compatible with more modern railcars). Add to that what amounts effectively to a blockade both physically and diplomatically from the US, it’s difficult for them to do any meaningful amount of trade.
I have been wondering lately though with the US alienating all of their allies, if Canada and other countries might just start to ignore the US sanctions, but I have a fair amount of doubt still considering that Cuba is still maintaining it’s alliance with Russia.
ETA: Apparently Cuba has been getting most of it’s petroleum from Venezuela lately, and well, that’s not happening anymore.
Then why is it all falling apart? China builds tons of infrastructure in other countries
It’s very “hands off”, much like soviet investment in the country. Like, you see tons of Chinese-made cars and buses, their internet and telephony infra is Chinese and farming equipment is often from them as well. However, all of that is implemented and maintained by the Cuban people, where China has sent personnel to other countries to build out that infrastructure.
I think most of their energy and food imports are still Russian though, which of course means the country grinds to a halt pretty quick if that supply is cut. Cuba has basically no petroleum resources and is also heavily dependent on trucks to move good around (as in basically no functioning rail infrastructure and what’s there is soviet-era and thus not compatible with more modern railcars). Add to that what amounts effectively to a blockade both physically and diplomatically from the US, it’s difficult for them to do any meaningful amount of trade.
I have been wondering lately though with the US alienating all of their allies, if Canada and other countries might just start to ignore the US sanctions, but I have a fair amount of doubt still considering that Cuba is still maintaining it’s alliance with Russia.
ETA: Apparently Cuba has been getting most of it’s petroleum from Venezuela lately, and well, that’s not happening anymore.
Great post.