The Andalusian Regional Government has proposed to the Spanish Government that, along with lines of credit and guarantees, the Response and Commercial Relaunch Plan to minimize the impact of the tariff war «also includes direct resources for companies and an extraordinary fund to help affected companies,» as detailed by the Minister of Economy, Finance, and European Funds, Carolina España, at the end of the sectorial meeting held between the different autonomous communities with the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Business, Carlos Cuerpo.
The minister has considered that the 90-day moratorium announced by the U.S. on tariff imposition «has somewhat relieved the situation, but it has certainly not been resolved.» Therefore, she has indicated that the Andalusian Regional Government has once again offered the maximum collaboration and institutional loyalty to the Spanish Government «because we are convinced that, in these uncertain times, unity is very important.»
«This is the time for high politics, and for that, collaboration and coordination with the autonomous communities are necessary; together we are stronger, we will go further,» she said, emphasizing the need for the communities to be taken into account when designing specific tools to address the new U.S. tariffs, when confirmed, because «we are important in this initiative.»
«We therefore applaud the attitude of the Minister of Economy for listening to the autonomous communities. It is essential to have constant dialogue, and we will take advantage of the minister’s approach because we are used to a government, especially the Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ms. Montero, who has not been able to reach agreements and maintain dialogue with the autonomous communities on financial matters.»
In this sense, she positively valued the Response and Commercial Relaunch Program designed by the Spanish Government, focused on different lines of credit and guarantees. «But from Andalusia, we understand that it can be improved, and we believe that companies also need direct resources, incentives, an extraordinary fund to help affected companies, or tax incentives for exporting companies,» she added.
Thus, she referred to the experts’ fears that the trade war initiated by the U.S. could cause an inflation rebound that would increase the cost of living for the people of Andalusia. «Therefore, we insist on the need to deflate the Personal Income Tax or lower the tax on electricity production, as well as incentives in corporate tax,» she said.
Similarly, Carolina España highlighted the importance of carrying out the pending hydraulic works in Andalusia, «which are essential to maintain the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, one of the most affected by U.S. tariffs.»
In this regard, the Andalusian official has requested the urgent convening of the agricultural sector conference, as well as the launch of promotion campaigns for Spanish products in new destinations to help alleviate the tariff impact.
Andalusia TRADE, searching for new destinations
The Minister of Economy highlighted the work that the Andalusia TRADE agency has been doing since its creation in the search for strategic destinations for Andalusian companies. «Through the more than 40 offices and antennas spread throughout the world, allowing us to reach 75 countries, we are focused on opening up alternative markets such as the entire Asia-Pacific and Oceania region.»
However, she emphasized that Andalusia does not give up on the American market, «which is an important market for our community since we are the second region that exports the most to the U.S.» The North American market represents 8% of Andalusian exports, around 3.138 billion euros, mainly linked to the agri-food sector, with olive oil and table olives at the forefront, but also to the aerospace sector, stone, or marble.
The minister recalled that in addition to intensifying commercial and promotional actions, «the Andalusian Regional Government will accelerate the approval of a package of internationalization incentives to help our companies in their search for strategic markets so that Andalusian products gain more weight in these new destinations, as well as a promotion campaign for Andalusian products to highlight the Andalusian Brand.»