Agriculture on Trump and tariffs: “We don’t accept threats or ultimatums”

The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Luis Planas, was clear and unequivocal when questioned in Figan about the United States’ protectionist policies and their potential impact on Spanish and, consequently, Aragonese foreign trade. The commotion generated in sectors such as the wine industry in the region regarding a possible tariff that would triple the price of Aragonese wine on the other side of the Atlantic is well known. Other sectors, such as the automotive industry, are also eagerly awaiting President Trump’s decisions. Be that as it may, Planas has responded by emphasizing that he is willing to negotiate and that “no threats, no ultimatums, even.” 

The ministerial minister insisted on taking the American president’s announcements ” with caution and also with great firmness,” an idea that has been developing in recent weeks in other institutions such as the CEOE (Spanish Economic Commission for Spain) and Aragón Exterior. “I always say this and I reiterate it,” he emphasized, while admitting that this issue looming over international trade “is a key issue.”

” Spain and the European Union must preserve international trade based on clear rules. Today, the Vice President of the European Commission, Maro Šefčovič, who is the Trade Commissioner, is in Washington to speak with the US authorities about these issues,” the trade representative added.

Even so, and urging calm, the Valencian minister asserted that an excellent relationship with the United States has always been maintained and that Spain works honestly and exports quality products “to anyone who wants to buy them.” “Negotiations are underway, but if at any point measures are adopted that harm Spain’s national interests in agriculture or livestock, there will be an appropriate response,” Planas concluded. 

ABOUT WINE IN ARAGON 

Aragon is one of the main wine-exporting regions in Spain, with an annual production of more than 30 million bottles to the United States alone. It accounts for 52% of total Aragonese exports. In figures, and as Javier Camo, director of Aragón Exterior, pointed out last week, the United States imported Aragonese wine worth 11.5 million, second only to Germany (16.78 million).

Other key markets were Canada (11.29 million), the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. He noted that countries such as Mexico, Brazil, China, and Japan offer great growth potential for Aragonese wine, as do Canada and the Nordic countries.