havana mississippi port pascagoula gulfport sign agreements cuba monday eye future business republican u.s. senator state look despite concern president donald trump might backtrack improve relations senator thad cochran republican among five u.s. senators u.s. representative three-day visit communist-run caribbean island discuss relations explore business opportunities agreements sign business forum explore future trade attend cochran great potential business port cuba due geographical proximity excellent fluvial maritime ways mississippi state-run media quote maria de la luz hamel director commercial policy unite state cuban ministry foreign trade investment say event close foreign journalists congressional delegation arrive sunday lead democratic senator patrick leahy vermont instrumental efforts normalize relations former democratic president barack obama cuba watchers look closely sign fragile u.s. detente cuba fare new trump administration republican president threaten scrap move normalize relations one obama signature foreign policy initiatives get good deal port authorities along u.s. southern coast strong proponents increase trade travel cuba express interest use mariel locate northwest coast cuba transshipment hub similar agreements sign last month virginia louisiana alabama florida port everglades palm beach also plan sign deal balk republican state governor rick scott threaten cancel fund business cuban dictatorship mississippi port eye cuba sign agreements havana