WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says his changes to U.S. policy with Cuba will make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, and to use their credit and debit cards in the country.

Obama also says that more resources should be able to reach the Cuban people, so he's significantly increasing the amount of money that people in the U.S. can send to them.

Obama says increasing commerce and the flow of information will be good both for Americans and Cubans.

The president says the steps he is taking are all about fostering freedom and openness. In a speech Wednesday from the Cabinet room, Obama says that isolating Cuba hasn't worked, so it's time for this new approach.