Reyes Maroto calls on European Commission for firm response and additional measures to support sectors affected by US customs dutie

In relation to the Airbus panel of the WTO, Reyes Maroto told Phil Hogan that the Government of Spain expects firm and decisive support from the European Commission for Spanish interests. "The new public consultation process launched by the United States and the potential increase in customs duties, as well as the inclusion of new products, all require a firm response from the EU to enhance the support for those sectors affected", stated the acting minister after the conclusion of the meeting.

Along this line, she asked for new mechanisms and support measures to be explored with short-term effects, both under the CAP and beyond its scope (compatible with the WTO), so as to minimise the impact that the imposition of counter-measures by the US Administration is having.

Reyes Maroto expressed her gratitude for the initiatives implemented by the European Commission, such as stepping up diplomatic actions to speed up negotiations with the United States and for opening up new markets.

"Spain will continue to advocate unity of action, supporting the Commission in handling the matter to achieve a negotiated solutions; we hope that the meetings that the Commissioner will hold shortly with the US Administration will be positive and that progress can be made towards reaching a negotiated solution to the Airbus-Boeing dispute that avoids the imposition of fresh customs duties and that he will urge the United States to withdraw those currently in force".

Actions adopted to support sectors affected

Since the imposition of counter-measures by the United States in mid-October 2019, the Government of Spain has been working, through the EU, to alleviate their effects on the sectors affected by mobilising support measures, both under the CAP and beyond its scope. So far, the European Commission has announced the following measures:

• Activation of crisis management mechanisms under the CAP, such as subsidies for the private storage of olive oil approved at the end of October.
• Activation of promotion measures in third countries and in the internal market. In November, it adopted the work programme for 2020, which provides for the allocation of 200.9 million euros for promotion campaigns, which includes an increase in EU financing and adding flexibility to the possibility of changing the country of destination.

Through the ICEX, Spain is strengthening those promotion programmes and instruments that are already consolidated, and which commit to differentiating and strengthening the high quality and diversity of our foods and wines. It is also committed, in parallel, to developing a sound strategy to open up new markets in priority countries with potential in the short and medium term.

Future relations between European Union and United Kingdom

As regards Brexit, Reyes Maroto asked Phil Hogan for the mandate for negotiations over the future relations between the EU and the UK - which must be approved in the first quarter of the year - to include trade in services, and not just goods, and for relations with the United Kingdom to operate on a level playing field.

The acting minister invited the European Commissioner for Trade to visit Spain in the first half of the year.

Non official translation