Eight years ago, the United States came close to normalizing trade relations with Cuba. Close, but not the entire cigar.

Behind the efforts of then-Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Wash., U.S. farms were allowed to sell foodstuffs for cash, but complicated regulations dissuaded some farmers. Plus, Cuba was not permitted to buy on credit, which limited sales to the impoverished country.

Still, with those limitations in place the United States became the chief supplier of food to Cuba. Sales since 2001 have exceeded $2 billion.

Farmers in Washington and Idaho have benefited, but they could sell much more if remaining restrictions were lifted. Before the Cold War embargo, which began 1961, Cuba was the largest buyer of peas and lentils from Idaho.

Northwest politicians have been prominent in their support of expanding trade and travel. Along with Nethercutt’s efforts, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has visited Cuba in search of trade opportunities. Sens. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., have co-sponsored legislation that would lift credit restrictions.

But the grip of Cold War politics has been unrelenting. The embargo was a reaction to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the island nation’s fealty to the Soviet Union. From there, Cuba lent support to the spread of communism in Central America. Meanwhile, Cuban exiles and expatriates formed a powerful hard-line bloc in Florida that fought any efforts to ease the embargo.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, Cuba’s power and influence waned. But the embargo has remained, even though the United States has traded with repressive regimes such as China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The United States even eased its embargo against Iraq before invading.

Like the old cars that rattle around that island nation, this foreign policy relic is running on fumes. After 47 years, it’s obvious that the embargo against Cuba will not have the desired outcome. Other countries, such as Venezuela and Brazil, have stepped in to deliver essential goods.

Over the years, Castro’s unrelenting anti-American diatribes have caused both sides to dig in. But now he’s stepped aside. Let’s take this occasion to say adios to a policy that has long outlived its usefulness but continues to punish Cuba’s people and American farmers.