asked Her Majesty's Government:

What effect current United States sanctions on Cuba have on British and European trade and financial dealings with Cuba; whether they have discussed these issues with the Government of the United States in recent months; and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions. [HL5192]

It is very difficult to assess what possible effect US sanctions against Cuba may have on British or European trade and financial dealings. The Government strongly oppose excessive assertions of extraterritorial jurisdiction, by other states, on UK individuals or companies.

We have made our opposition to US policy clear through our vote every year against the US embargo on Cuba at the UN General Assembly, as we last did on 30 October 2007, and our officials raised the issue again with US officials in Washington in May. The UK and the US agree that though they share the same policy aim—peaceful transition to pluralist democracy—they may differ on how to achieve that aim.