Ibex executives worried about Trump

BarcelonaConcern. Top executives from Ibex companies attending the Davos Economic Forum met with the Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, and the Minister of Digital Transformation, Óscar López, and conveyed their concern "about the crisis" triggered by US President Donald Trump with Europe, according to sources. This meeting in the Swiss city has been held in previous years with President Pedro Sánchez, who did not attend Davos this year due to the mourning caused by the train accident in Córdoba.

"It was a meeting very focused on Trump. The companies conveyed their concern about the crisis triggered by Trump with the European Union," according to the sources consulted. Those attending the meeting included the CEO of Iberdrola, Ignacio Sánchez Galán; the CEO of BBVA, Carlos Torres; the CEO of Telefónica, Marc Murtra; the CEO of Naturgy, Francisco Reynés; the CEO of Banco Santander, Héctor Grisi; and the CEO of Moeve, Maarten Wetselaar. The president and CEO of Acciona, José Manuel Entrecanales; the CEO of Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz; the CEO of ACS, Juan Santamaría; the president and CEO of HP, Enrique Lores; the CEO of Salesforce, Miguel Milano; the CEO of Inbrain, Carolina Aguilar; and the CEO of Novonesis, Ester Baiget.

Despite the concerns, the business leaders also suggested that the current tensions with the US could represent an "opportunity" for Europe to advance its integration and boost its competitiveness. The Old Continent "needs to get its act together," they stated.

The president of Telefónica has expressed this view on two US television programs, stating that Europe must take a technological leap and have its own "NASA moment," referring to the Sputnik moment, which spurred the US space race and investment in technology after the launch of the Soviet satellite in 1957. [This is] a new relationship with the US.