US commerce secretary in Cuba for talks on improving trade

The U.S. commerce secretary is in Cuba to talk about steps taken by President Barack Obama to ease the trade embargo against the communist-ruled island.

Secretary Penny Pritzker started her visit with a stop Tuesday at the Mariel free trade zone near Cuba's capital of Havana.

Pritzker is leading a delegation of officials from the U.S. Treasury, Commerce and State departments for meetings with officials from Cuban government ministries and businesses.

Obama has eased economic restrictions on Cuba since starting the U.S. on the road to closer relations with Cuba. A trade embargo remains in place under U.S. law, but Obama is now allowing U.S. firms to send supplies to private Cuban businesses and export telephones, computers and Internet technology.