This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 3 2025.
Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has highlighted the strategic importance of the EU-Mercosur agreement as a major opportunity to diversify Spanish exports amid mounting U.S. trade tariffs. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Planas called for a coordinated and proportional response from the European Union to counter the impact of protectionist measures implemented by the U.S., particularly under the Trump administration. Acknowledging the challenges posed by escalating tariffs, Mr Planas described the current period as “complicated,” and stressed the need for unity and effective action across EU member states. Tariffs represent a serious obstacle to the economic future of both the EU and Spain, he stated, cautioning against overreaction while recognizing the urgency to reduce dependency on traditional markets such as the United States.
Mr Planas reiterated his government’s support for Spain’s agri-food sector, which has been one of the most heavily affected by U.S. tariffs. He emphasised that while Spain remains a strong advocate of transatlantic relations, recent U.S. measures can be seen as “unfriendly.” As part of Spain’s export diversification strategy, Mr Planas pointed to Mercosur—the South American trade bloc comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay—as the cornerstone of new commercial efforts. The minister also underlined ongoing initiatives, including negotiations with India and upcoming diplomatic and trade missions to Vietnam and China, aimed at strengthening Spain’s presence in Asia.
These steps, Mr Planas affirmed, are designed to ensure Spain’s long-term resilience against the against the rising tide of global protectionism.