Girona's companies are facing new trade threats from Donald Trump against Spain with sales to the United States remaining virtually intact. Between January and April, the province exported products worth 60.74 million euros to the North American market, a 1.1% increase compared to last year. This figure contrasts with the 4.6% drop in Girona's overall exports during the first four months of the year.
The North American market is consolidating as one of the main destinations for Girona's foreign trade amidst political uncertainty. The US President recently threatened to cut off "all trade" with Spain, accusing it of being a "terrible ally" within NATO. This declaration, made during the NATO summit, links the trade conflict with defense spending.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, downplayed the impact of Trump's statements, stating that their informal conversation was cordial and focused on football. Sánchez defended the strength of Spanish-US relations and recalled that trade policy is a matter for the European Union.
The European Commission has warned that it will protect the interests of the European Union and its member states, emphasizing the need for stable transatlantic trade. This EU framework limits the ability of the United States to act unilaterally against a single member state.
This is not the first time Trump has threatened Spain with trade reprisals. In March, he expressed his desire to "cut all trade" following Spain's refusal to allow the use of the Rota and Morón bases in the offensive against Iran.
The new threat is causing concern within Girona's business community, although consulted organizations are urging caution. The FOEG considers statements that generate uncertainty to be negative, but also warns against alarmism, recalling that trade relations fall under EU policy and that Trump's statements often do not translate into effective measures.
Comexi, a Girona-based company specializing in flexible packaging printing with facilities in Miami, is closely monitoring developments. Its president, Pau Xifra, expresses concern given the importance of the North American market and hopes that a trade blockade will not materialize.
