The Director General of Trade Policy and Economic Security, Julián Conthe, outlined the current geopolitical challenges before the Internationalization Committee of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. Conthe emphasized the urgency of finalizing the Mercosur agreement in the face of Chinese expansion and confirmed the strong performance of Spanish exports of high value-added services.
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Julian Conthe, Director General of Trade Policy and Economic Security of the Secretary of State for Commerce, has analyzed in the Chamber of Spain the new geopolitical reality, marked by an asymmetry in technological dependence with respect to China and the imminent adoption of the trade agreement with Mercosur to strengthen the European position.
The end of clichés: technological dependence on China
During his speech, Conthe outlined a paradigm shift in global trade relations. The CEO identified the increasing dependence on both the European Union and United States with regard to imports from China. This dependence is especially concentrated in sectors with a high technological component and research and development (R&D).
In contrast, the data reveals that the Asian giant has significantly reduced its need for European and American products. Faced with this reality, Conthe has been emphatic: “The cliché that the US innovates, China copies, and the EU regulates is no longer true.”.
Strategic advances: Mercosur, Mexico and Indonesia
In the area of bilateral negotiations, the absolute priority is focused on the South American bloc. Conthe has defined the treaty with Mercosurwhose institutional adoption by the EU is considered imminent, such as the “most important achievement by the EU”.
The urgency of this agreement also responds to factors of geopolitical competition: China is increasing its market share in the Mercosur countries in an "extremely competitive" way and without the need for a prior trade agreement.
In addition to the South American bloc, the State Secretariat for Trade has detailed the roadmap for other key markets in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American region:
| Country | Status of the Agreement | Key Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Mercosur | Imminent adoption | Consolidate the EU's position against China's trade advance. |
| Mexico | Modernization in progress | Elimination of non-tariff barriers and greater access to agri-food products. |
| Indonesia | New agreement | Priority in digital commerce and legal security. |
| Others (Asia) | Active negotiations | Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, and the United Arab Emirates. |
Strength of the Spanish foreign sector
Beyond the EU context, Conthe emphasized the resilience of the national economy. According to the director general, Spain's foreign trade has taken a "qualitative leap," particularly highlighting the performance of the high value-added non-tourism services.
The outlook for the Spanish economy remains at a “robust growth”, placing Spain at the forefront of international growth, especially in comparison with other developed economies.
Key points and frequently asked questions about EU Trade Policy
- How has the trade relationship with China changed?
There is a growing asymmetry: the EU and the US are increasingly dependent on China for technology and R&D, while China has reduced its dependence on Western products. - Why is the EU-Mercosur agreement vital?
It is considered the most important EU agreement and seeks to counter China's growing and competitive presence in the South American region. - Which sectors are currently leading Spanish foreign trade?
In addition to traditional services, high value-added non-tourist services stand out, in a context of robust economic growth.
