Cuba has denied reports that government officials established commercial contacts with companies linked to U.S. President Donald Trump, adding a new development to the ongoing political and economic tensions between Havana and Washington.

Cuban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga told Reuters on September 29 that he had no knowledge of any Trump-linked company contacting Cuban authorities.

The statement comes as Cuba faces continued U.S. economic restrictions while the government pursues reforms intended to expand private-sector activity and attract investment. Recent reforms include measures affecting private businesses, banking, real estate and foreign-exchange operations.

Cuban officials have continued to argue that U.S. sanctions and restrictions are limiting the country's ability to implement those reforms. At the same time, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has said Havana remains open to commercial relations with U.S. companies under conditions of sovereign equality and without preconditions.

The latest statements highlight the continuing uncertainty surrounding Cuba-U.S. relations as Havana balances economic reform efforts with ongoing diplomatic tensions.