on the President by section 408 of the sugar Act of 1948' as aoended on 6 July 1960 by Public la,t 86-592 ) which authorized hlm to determine, without prejudice to its other provlsions, the sugar quota allottetl to Cuba for the rest of 1960 and the first quarter of 1961 as he deened conslstent wlth the nattonal interest. 6. It shoultl be recalled that sugar has been, and still is, Cubas rnain econonic resource and that the uniteat states historically gave preferential treatoent to the purchase of Cuban ltugar exports, ttttlch exceeded 3 nillion tons' Follor'ing these Lscalatinq coercive te".ur.s against Cuba, in septenber 1950 the Govermment of the untted states alecldeal to euspend operations at its nickel concentration plant in Nicaro, Oriente Province, Cuba. 7. In October 1960, the @vernment of the Unlteat states tntroduced general contlol neasurea prohibiting North Amerlcan exports to Cuba, l'ith the exception of footlstu ffs, drugs and oedical eguipment, thus deprlving Cuban industry and transport of the replacenent part€ essential to keep thoge factories and eguipment whlch had been purchased in North Aoetica in operation. 8. On 16 December 1960, by vi'rtue of Presidential Proclanation 3383 and under the 1egal authority of sectlon 408 of ttte sugar Act of 1948, as amended on 6 July 1960, the Govermment of the united sEates suspenaled the sugar quota for cuba for the flrst quarter of t951. g. oa 3 ;Ianuary 1961, the Gove(noent of the United Sbaces broke off dlplonatlc and consular relations rri th the covernment of cuba, a6 a final couch to the economic measures tr?rlch hatl already been applying to a country r'lth shich it had prevlously rutintained such rela Eions. 10. orr 3t !4a rch 1961 , by vlrtue of Presldential Proclamation 3401 and under the
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the economic relations between the United States and Cuba, specifically the restrictions and measures taken by the US government against Cuba. It mentions the suspension of sugar quotas, the prohibition of North American exports, and the breakdown of diplomatic relations. These actions seem to be motivated by a desire to exert economic pressure on Cuba, rather than any direct concern with natural resources, health, education, or other issues.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development