<P> The embargo was reinforced in October 1992 by the Cuban Democracy Act (the "Torricelli Law") and in 1996 by the Cuban Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act (known as the Helms--Burton Act) which penalizes foreign companies that do business in Cuba by preventing them from doing business in the U.S. Justification provided for these restrictions was that these companies were trafficking in stolen U.S. properties, and should, thus, be excluded from the United States . However, Obama has tried to lift the embargo, but congress will not allow it . </P> <P> The European Union resented the Helms - Burton Act because it felt that the U.S. was dictating how other nations ought to conduct their trade and challenged it on that basis . The EU eventually dropped its challenge in favor of negotiating a solution . </P> <P> After Cuba shot down two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue planes in 1996, killing three Americans and a U.S. resident, a bi-partisan coalition in the United States Congress approved the Helms - Burton Act . The Title III of this law also states that any non-U.S. company that "knowingly trafficks in property in Cuba confiscated without compensation from a U.S. person" can be subjected to litigation and that company's leadership can be barred from entry into the United States . Sanctions may also be applied to non-U.S. companies trading with Cuba . This restriction also applies to maritime shipping, as ships docking at Cuban ports are not allowed to dock at U.S. ports for six months . It's important to note that this title includes waiver authority, so that the President might suspend its application . This waiver must be renewed every six months and traditionally it has been . </P> <P> In response to pressure from some American farmers and agribusiness, the embargo was relaxed by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which was passed by the Congress in October 2000 and signed by President Bill Clinton . The relaxation allowed the sale of agricultural goods and medicine to Cuba for humanitarian reasons . Although Cuba initially declined to engage in such trade (having even refused U.S. food aid in the past, seeing it as a half - measure serving U.S. interests), the Cuban government began to allow the purchase of food from the U.S. as a result of Hurricane Michelle in November 2001 . These purchases have grown since then, even though all sales are made in cash . In 2007, the U.S. was the largest food supplier of Cuba, which nevertheless is largely self - sufficient, and its fifth largest trading partner . </P>

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