Strengthening the EU's trade relations with the US will be a priority for Spain at the head of the European Presidency

In order to guarantee the path of economic growth

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, met in Madrid with the Secretary of Commerce of the United States, Gina Raimondo, to whom he explained Spain's priorities during the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, which gives I start July 1st.

---

 

In the commercial field, the Spanish minister has told his counterpart that Spain will work to create a multilateral trade policy agenda that contributes to the EU's competitiveness, economic resilience and green and digital transition.

 

This meeting takes place along the lines of those held recently between the Spanish Executive and the US Government, among which the visit of President Pedro Sánchez to the White House, where bilateral cooperation was reinforced in the face of global challenges such as the climate emergency, science and technology or migration, favoring the creation of opportunities for our companies and workers.

 

During the Spanish presidency of the EU, it will be considered to agree on an approach to undertake the reform of the Organization and the much-needed strengthening of the multilateral trading system in view of the XIII Ministerial Conference of the WTO

 

Progress on key business issues

 

Gómez has indicated as a priority the definitive progress in the pending trade agreements of the EU with Latin American countries, specifically Chile, Mexico and Mercosur. “Spain's objective is that the signing and subsequent definitive entry into force of these agreements occurs as soon as possible,” he expressed in conversation with the Secretary of Commerce.

 

Regarding the EU's trade relations with strategic partners, such as the US, the minister has indicated that Spain will work together with them to resolve key bilateral issues, among which the Global Agreement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum stands out.

 

Likewise, the Spanish Government values ​​the commitment of the United States to undertake the reform of the World Trade Organization. During the Spanish presidency of the EU, it will be considered agreeing on an approach to undertake the reform of the Organization and the much-needed strengthening of the multilateral trading system in the face of 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be held in February 2024.

 

The Minister of Industry has once again defended the Spanish position regarding the US tariffs on table olive. Gómez encouraged her American counterpart to find a prompt solution to this matter and thus “crown the fantastic bilateral relations that we have strategically and also politically, economically and culturally with the United States.”

 

Since 2018, the US has imposed tariffs that expel Spanish olives from the US market, a measure against which the WTO ruled in 2021. As a consequence, the US committed to the EU to adapt its legislation before January 14, 2023, something that has not taken place.

 

On the other hand, the appeal presented last September by the Association of Table Olive Exporters (ASEMESA) in the US International Trade Court has not been successful, which once again called into question EU agricultural aid.

 

“Bilateral relations with the United States are excellent, as demonstrated by the recent visit of President Pedro Sánchez to the White House and the continued holding of sectoral meetings. We hope, therefore, that these measures, which do not protect Californian production, will be reconsidered,” concluded Héctor Gómez.