Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Ottawa: The Canadian government has on Friday vowed to secure and defend its businesses operating in Cuba as United States President Donald Trump recently lifted a ban over American citizens filing legal lawsuits in courts against firms and investors doing business in Cuba.

A foreign ministry stated, “The Government of Canada will always defend Canadians and Canadian businesses conducting legitimate trade and investment with Cuba, and is reviewing all options in response to the U.S. decision.”

The statement added, “Canada will also continue to work with our international partners, including the EU, to stand up for our businesses,” according to Reuters news reports.

The European Union (EU) has earlier this week stated it could move the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the US or use retaliatory sanctions to institute firms in Cuba.

The statement said Canada also said its Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act can be used to file lawsuits in Canadian courts that “will allow Canadians to recover any amounts that have been obtained against them, including legal expenses, and losses or damages incurred”.

Also read: Trump administration to allow lawsuits in US courts against foreign firms doing business in Cuba

In a major shift, the Trump administration will, for the first, allow legal lawsuits in American courts against those international firms using properties confiscated by Cuba since Fidel Castro’s revolution around six decades ago, according to a senior US official.

This major policy shift could expose the European, Canadian and US firms to a legal challenge and a blow to Cuban efforts to attract more foreign investors. Also, it a sign of Washington’s effort to punish Cuba for backing embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Related news: US President Trump threatens Cuba of highest-level sanction, full embargo amid Venezuela crisis

 

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