<h6><strong>Ane Barcos/Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, presented the government's response and trade relaunch plan to the United States tariffs in Congress this Wednesday. These tariffs, in the case of Europe, do not respond "to any analysis or economic rationale."</strong></h4> During his appearance, Cuerpo explained that the plan aims to mobilize €14.1 billion, of which €7.72 billion has already been activated, distributed as €5 billion in ICO guarantees to ensure liquidity for companies, €720 million for the Fund for the Internationalization of Business (F/IEM), and €2 billion to boost exports of goods and services. “We are prepared, and this must be a clear message of confidence at a time of such uncertainty as this,” he asserted. “We can draw on the experience we have developed in responding to crises over the years,” he added. “Now we must be able to build on that foundation and demonstrate our ability to react to a changing situation,” he stated. The minister also emphasized that Spain was “the first country to put a response plan on the table,” the objective of which is “to offer certainty, confidence, and a message of support to citizens, businesses, and productive sectors.” Carlos Cuerpo also insisted that this is “the moment for Europe and Spain to respond to this enormous challenge.” “We are not alone thanks to the asset of being part of the EU,” he continued. “Imagine what not working hand in hand with the EU would mean for an economy like Spain’s,” he warned. "As the EU, we can defend ourselves as equals and negotiate to reach a fair agreement," and therefore, "this is a moment for the EU to demonstrate unity and uphold the values that characterize us." According to the minister, "the EU must do more at this time, and it is time for the EU to act, and that is the motivation for creating a fund to support the most affected productive sector." In this context, he warned, "the EU's task must be to strengthen trade ties with strategic partners, as (Commission President) Ursula von der Leyen did a few hours after Trump's announcement." "We must strengthen our alliances with countries like India, Canada, and Mercosur," he added. The Economy Minister once again described the measures adopted by US President Donald Trump as "unjustified and arbitrary," and recalled that the European Union's average tariff with the United States is 5.1 percent, a tariff that would be reduced to 1.2 percent if those imposed on each country were taken into account. one of the goods that Europe imports. Therefore, he warned, "these 20 percent tariffs" that the US has imposed on the European Union are not based on any analysis or economic rationale." <h5><strong>PP and Sumar</strong></h5> In his response, Juan Bravo of the PP stated that "we are not here to help you or Pedro Sánchez, we are here to help businesses and the Spanish people." "What can we do to improve the lives of the Spanish people and our businesses? We must be clear about our principles and values, free trade. We have to put aside the headlines and focus on finding opportunities," he added. The measures presented on Monday by the People's Party "are not the PP's measures, but rather those of the sectors affected by the US tariffs," added Bravo, who asked the Government to take into account the Autonomous Communities and emphasized the need for a General Budget adapted to the current situation. For his part, Manuel Iago, from Sumar (a minority partner in the Executive), asserted that the coalition government's objective is to protect Spain's economy, productive fabric, and employment, "and we know how to do it, because we've already done so. We don't abandon our country's businesses and workers in a crisis," and warned that "Europe must propose a tariff measure that minimizes the impact on the economies of European countries," noted the Sumar deputy, who noted that "in Spain there is less inequality than ever." In statements in the corridors, the second vice president and leader of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, demanded that the PP "stand on the country's side and finally let go of Vox" in order to support the royal decree protecting businesses from tariffs. <h5><strong>EU approves trade countermeasures against the US</strong></h5> On the other hand, European Union member states voted this Wednesday in the trade barriers regulation committee in favor of the European Commission's proposal to impose trade countermeasures against the United States, in response to the tariffs the Donald Trump administration imposed in March on EU steel and aluminum imports. The decision, which received the "necessary support" from the bloc's countries, according to the EU executive, establishes tariffs of up to 25% on a wide range of US products. These include agricultural products such as soybeans, rice, sweet corn, almonds, orange juice, cranberries, and tobacco, as well as metals such as iron, steel, and aluminum, vehicles, ships, textiles, clothing, and cosmetics. The first package of countermeasures will take effect on April 15, while a second phase is scheduled for May 15. Some particularly sensitive products could be affected in a third phase, on December 1. Although products such as bourbon, wine, and dairy products were initially considered for inclusion, they were ultimately excluded to avoid harsher retaliation from the United States, which had threatened to increase tariffs on European alcoholic beverages by up to 200%, a measure that would particularly affect countries like France and Italy. The European Commission considers the tariffs imposed by the United States to be "unjustified and harmful" to both the European and US economies, as well as the global economy. Brussels emphasized that these countermeasures can be suspended "at any time if the United States accepts a fair and balanced negotiated agreement." For her part, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated that the EU remains open to dialogue. Furthermore, Brussels has offered Washington a "zero-for-zero" agreement on tariffs on industrial goods, in line with other trade agreements previously established by the EU. The Commission is also working on a second retaliation package, which will be presented early next week. According to Trade Commission spokesman Olof Gill, "Early next week, as part of the second phase of our response to U.S. tariffs, we will unveil our plan for autos and other reciprocal goods, similar to what we did with steel and aluminum."
