Cubans don't have the money to buy John Deere tractors irrespective of the embargo. But, if John Deere opened a manufacturing plant there, they could pay Cubans a whopping dollar an hour. That would enbable John Deere to sell its tractors more competitvely around the world, and bring dollars home to America.
***European cash almost solely lines Castro's pockets because of the way the dictator has fashioned the terms of engagement. Foreign companies must establish joint ventures with the Cuban government, with a cut of the profits going to Castro. But the despot nets more cash from the labor arrangement: Workers are not employed by foreign companies; they are rented. Companies pay Castro's machine approximately $1,000 per month per worker, in hard cash. The regime, in turn, shells out less than $20 - per month - to each worker, in pesos. In other words, 98 percent of all wages paid by foreign companies in Cuba are funneled straight to Castro.*** (Source in Post #1)
Then, WE can pay the worker $20/month directly.
Cuba is ripe for exploitation and investment, but NOT for "trade" in the traditional sense of the word.
Like Alice in Wonderland, what Dodd says and what Dodd means are two different things.