Office of the Historian

240. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Kennedy0

Washington, June 28, 1961.

Present trade with Cuba

The first four months of 1961 show that trade with Cuba is running at an annual rate of about $35 million each way. About nine-tenths of our exports are food and medicines, and nearly all of the imports are foods and textile fibers. This level of trade compares with an annual rate of half a billion dollars in normal times (57-59). This trade thus has no strategic significance and very little general economic significance. To invoke the Trading with the Enemy Act at this time would be a gesture with no real significance. The matter is under constant review, however, and if the situation changes a different decision can be made.

McG. B.1
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Cuba, General, 6/61-12/61. No classification marking.↩
  2. Printed from a copy that bears these typed initials.↩