El gobierno se prepara para responder a los aranceles de Trump

The government is preparing to respond to the imminent imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump, which will affect various sectors of the Spanish economy.

President Pedro Sánchez announced last week during his appearance in the Congress of Deputies a contingency plan to protect those affected by the tariff measures. The specific measures are still being finalized and will be adjusted by the government based on the severity of the tariffs announced by Trump, according to sources from Moncloa.

The government is advocating for maximum caution to avoid triggering an even worse reaction from the US administration, given the high stakes and direct impact on citizens of the measures announced from Washington on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen the exact terms of Trump’s actions and how his threats will materialize, but the government is preparing for all scenarios and plans to make an announcement on Thursday, April 3.

It is not ruled out that President Sánchez himself will be the one to respond to his American counterpart, depending on the severity of the tariffs imposed on Spanish and European products.

In any case, the Spanish government’s response will be coordinated with the European Commission, whose President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Tuesday that the EU has the strength to «counterattack» and has a «solid plan» against tariffs.

Sánchez has reiterated in recent weeks the power of the EU as the «world’s largest trading bloc» to defend against a trade war that, he emphasizes, benefits no one.

Following the Council of Ministers’ press conference, Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized the «beneficial» relationship that Europe and the United States share as each other’s top partner and client, respectively. However, he stated that Europe has tools to protect the integrity of its single market in the event of tariffs.

Last Wednesday, Sánchez announced in Congress that his government is working on a national emergency plan to assist sectors that may be affected by the tariffs, which, as indicated by Trump, could reach 25% and impact EU products.

The head of the government reiterated that a trade war is undesirable, but assured that Brussels, with its commercial powers in the EU, will provide the necessary response. «The EU is a power and will respond as such,» he warned.

FUENTE