To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
President Obama exempt Puerto Rico from the Cabotage Laws
Private and government sectors of Puerto Rico have requested President Obama and Congress that residents of Puerto Rico be exempted from the cabotage laws that prohibit foreign vessels to bring goods and materials to Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean in a serious economic situation. The USA merchant marine is the mot expensive of the world. This law provides for waivers but the USA Congress and the President have not acted to allow foreign ships to bring goods and materials to Puerto Rico. Although the exemption has been awarded to Alaska, the USA Virgin Islands and others in previous occasions, discriminating against the residents of Puerto Rico who are USA citizens since 1917.
Why is this important?
Due to the cabotage laws, the goods and materials imported to Puerto Rico in USA vessels are much higher in price than those transported in foreign vessels. All the residents of Puerto Rico are greatly affected by these higher prices which do not help the economy to develop, specially in a economic crisis such as the one being suffered by Puerto Rico. Moreover the common citizen in Puerto Rico is suffering from this situation on a daily basis since they can't pay these higher prices to feed themselves. The legislature of Puerto Rico has requested the USA government to end this discriminatory treatment. Please sign this petition to make justice to all of the residents of Puerto Rico.