Spain will respond strongly to new US tariffs

Madrid-Sana

The Spanish government today summoned the US ambassador to Madrid to express its total rejection of any new US customs duties on goods from the European Union.

The World Trade Organization ruled this week that some EU subsidies to Airbus were illegal, giving the United States the right to respond by imposing tariffs on goods from the bloc, where Washington announced plans on Wednesday for new tariffs.

"If the US government rejects an offer of dialogue by Spain and the European Union, the Spanish government will immediately respond strongly and clearly to defending the interests of our citizens and our companies," the Spanish government said.

If the new tariffs are confirmed, the government will ask the European Commission to implement various measures to mitigate their impact on its agricultural sector.

Spain estimates the new tariffs, which Washington has said will be imposed on products including wine and cheese, will affect exports worth about 1 billion euros a year.