José Luis Bonet (Spanish Chamber of Commerce) defends an "open strategic autonomy" for Europe without falling into protectionism

Debate at the UIMP

The president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet, inaugurated the course "Spain in a new Europe" at the UIMP, where he advocated for strengthening European capacity in critical sectors without giving up on open trade, highlighting the leading role that Spanish companies must play.

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The concept of 'open strategic autonomy' is positioned as key to the EU's competitiveness in an environment of geopolitical tensions and reconfiguration of value chains.

The president of the Cámara de Comercio de España, José Luis Bonet, has defended the need for Europa adopt one open strategic autonomy as the core of its response to the complex international scenario. During the opening of the summer course “España in a new Europa”, which is held from July 6 to 10 in the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP) of Santander with the sponsorship of the Cámara de España, Bonet He urged strengthening community capacity in critical sectors without abandoning the commitment to economic and trade openness.

In a context marked by technological rivalry and geopolitical tensions, the president of the Cámara has highlighted the importance of reducing dependencies in such sensitive areas as energy, defense, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, or essential raw materialsHowever, he clarified that this strategy should not be used as a pretext for isolationism. "Autonomy cannot be confused with withdrawal, protectionism, or isolation," he emphasized. Bonet during his intervention.

Likewise, José Luis Bonet has asserted the central role that España is called upon to play a role in the construction of this new EuropaAccording to their analysis, the strength of Spain's foreign trade sector, together with the resilience and growing international presence of its companies, puts the country in a privileged position to contribute to a Unión Europea stronger and more innovative. In this regard, he made a direct appeal to the business community, especially SMEs: «España It must be at the heart of that response. And Spanish companies, with their adaptability, international focus, and commitment to progress, must be key players in this new approach. Europa».

Academic and institutional analysis on the challenges of internationalization

The opening day, which marks the fifth consecutive year that the Cámara de España promotes this seminar in the UIMPIt also featured the participation of prominent figures from the economic field. The first conference, entitled “The UE in a context of global confrontation,” was pronounced by Óscar Arce, Director General of Economics of Banco Central Europeo.

Subsequently, a dialogue was held with Carlos LLanoProfessor of Economic Analysis at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. The session was moderated by Rafael MyroProfessor Emeritus of Applied Economics at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and co-director of the course. The seminar's leadership is completed by Gonzálo Solana, director of the Chair Nebrija Santander in Internationalization of Companies, and the secretariat of Raúl Mínguez, Director of Studies of the Cámara de Comercio de EspañaThroughout the week, the program will address, from a practical perspective, the main challenges in competitiveness, trade, and innovation.

Details of the Seminar "Spain in a new Europe" 2026

Concept	Details
Event	Summer CourseEspaña in a new Europa"
Dates	From the 6 to the 10 of July of 2026
Place	Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), Santander
Sponsored by	Cámara de Comercio de España
Featured Speakers	José Luis Bonet (President, Cámara de España), Óscar Arce (Director General of Economy, BCE), Carlos LLano (Professor, UAM)

Key points and frequently asked questions about Open Strategic Autonomy

What does 'open strategic autonomy' mean in practice for a Spanish exporting company?

For a Spanish SME or large company, this concept implies a dual approach. On the one hand, they must be prepared for greater resilience in their supply chains, diversifying suppliers of critical components that could be affected by geopolitical tensions (semiconductors, energy, raw materials). On the other hand, it means that the Unión Europea It will continue to promote trade agreements and the opening of new markets, so export opportunities will not be closed, but will be redirected towards more reliable and strategic partners.

What role does Spain play in this new European strategy?

According to the analyses presented, España It is in a privileged position. The strength of its foreign trade sector and the proven adaptability of its companies give it a leading role. España It can act as a key bridge with regions such as América Latina and lead sectors where it is already competitive, thus contributing to a Europa stronger and less dependent on individual actors on the global stage.

What should managers know about the reconfiguration of value chains?

Internationalization managers must understand that the global value chain model based solely on cost reduction is evolving toward one that prioritizes security and resilience . This involves analyzing geopolitical risks, investing in digitalization for greater traceability, and considering nearshoring (bringing production closer to home) or friend-shoring (producing in allied countries) strategies . Innovation and sustainability become crucial competitive drivers in this new paradigm.