<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, warned this Wednesday that Europe is “stronger” than we think and has the “capacity” to defend itself from those who “attack it with unfair tariffs and threats to its sovereignty”.</strong></h4> “The European Union is stronger than even we believe”, because it is “the largest trading bloc in the world and a global power”, declared Sánchez during the closing ceremony of the 'XI Cepyme Awards', held at the Banco Santander Auditorium, in Madrid, and attended by the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz. Therefore, he assured, “we have the capacity to defend our interests against those who attack us with unfair tariffs and threats to our sovereignty”. “We will respond proportionally to any challenge, with all the strength and solidarity of a united Europe”, as was done during the pandemic and in the face of the invasion of Ukraine, he continued. To achieve this, he said, it is necessary to follow the path of “cooperation, multilateralism, understanding and the defence of an international order based on cooperation and mutual benefit, without vassalage, in which justice prevails, and not the law of the strongest.” According to Pedro Sánchez, it is necessary to be “aware of the enormous gravity of the moment we are living in,” given the geopolitical tensions, interruptions in the supply of raw materials or changes in demand caused by erratic tariff policies, which are “real threats.” “They all share the same origin: the questioning of economic openness and multilateral institutions in trade,” he said. Faced with this, “in a context in which others are closing themselves off, Spain and Europe are doing the opposite: opening up to the world and forging new alliances so that our companies can operate,” continued Pedro Sánchez, who cited as examples the trade agreement with Canada, the update of the agreement with Mexico, the agreement with Mercosur, the recent start of negotiations by the Commission with India and the resumption of talks with Malaysia. According to the President of the Government, what is “at stake” is certainty in the geopolitical scenario, something “vital” for companies and SMEs, but “Spain is not alone” at this “crossroads,” because it is part of the European project, an experience that “has contributed decisively to the prosperity and modernisation of our country.” “The European Union is, without a doubt, the best thing that has happened to Spain in centuries of history” and, therefore, “this is the time for us all to stand up for Europe, also from the business world,” he warned. “If we want a Europe that protects the most vulnerable, our young and old, our environment, agriculture and businesses, it is time to protect Europe,” he concluded.
