The Spanish government has proposed strengthening controls on imports and e-commerce packages from Amazon, Shein, and Temu valued at up to €150. These are some of the measures that Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo presented to representatives of the 17 autonomous communities at the Interterritorial Council for Internationalization meeting, held at the Pedralbes Palace in Barcelona. Given the context of US tariff policies under Donald Trump, with imports, like exports, on the rise, and although border controls are effective and thorough, "a further step is necessary regarding industrial products to guarantee competition and consumer protection," he explained at a press conference alongside Catalan Minister Sámper. This plan, developed in coordination with the autonomous communities, aims to ensure that there are no "weak points" for the entry of products that do not meet European requirements. Therefore, they are also working in coordination with the European Commission. The intention is to expand the list of industrial products, working in conjunction with the sectors involved. And greater control over small packages, up to 150 euros, which were previously exempt from tariffs and duties, but are now not. The goal, he said, is "to ensure they compete on a level playing field with domestic products and with guarantees of consumer protection." This is especially focused on textiles, footwear, and toys. The Minister explained that a working group will be created with e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon and Shein, to address the safety of the products they sell and the creation of an early warning system in coordination with the regional governments to anticipate risks or fraud that could affect businesses. The idea, as the Minister explained to ARA, is to follow the approach used with financial institutions to prevent the closure of bank branches in rural areas and to improve services for the elderly; that is, through the involvement of the sector, rather than through mandatory regulations and laws. The Minister of Economy has announced that the foreign trade data to be published this Thursday will reflect, in terms of exports, "one of the best years in history," despite the challenges in the international arena. It is within this context of strong growth in the foreign trade sector that he has framed the measures to protect sectors and consumers from industrial products that do not comply with European regulations. For his part, Sàmper has stated that the Catalan government's plans for 2026-2030 aim to add approximately 2,000 more exporting companies to the 18,000 that currently export regularly by the end of the period. These companies will each sell to at least five countries for a minimum value of 5 million euros. Therefore, 30 million euros in aid has been allocated to 1,000 companies. The regional minister has stated that US tariff policies have affected Catalan exports to the US worth approximately €2 billion, representing 67% of total exports. This is all being done under the umbrella of diversification: exports to China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and other countries.

Chinese exports accelerated in September, despite Donald Trump's tariffsThus, the Asian giant's foreign sales grew 8.3% in the ninth month of the year, reaching $328.57 billion (approximately €282.687 billion). This increase in exports, therefore, was faster than in August, when growth was 4.4%.

The tariffs imposed by the United States government on products manufactured in European Union countries could have a negative impact on Spanish exports worth €15.1 billion, although if the indirect impact were added, the figure could rise to €22.7 billion, as explained by the Minister of the Corps this Monday in an appearance before the Congress of Deputies.

Salvador Illa begins this Monday an official trip to Japan and the Republic of Korea for reaffirm Catalonia's position as an investment hubIn this context, the Japanese ambassador to Spain since 2022, Takahiro Nakamae, meets with the ARA in his office at the Japanese embassy, amid a busy schedule marked by the promotion of the Universal Exposition, which Japan is hosting this year.

Before the shock of covid, Catalan exports had a strong momentum, with a decade of breaking historical records. After a tough first year pandemic for foreign trade, in which foreign sales fell by 10%, they are now once again at record highs. In 2021, Catalan exports achieved the unprecedented figure in the historical series (dating back to 1993) of €80,538m, 21% more than the previous year and 9% more than in 2019. Catalonia was by far the autonomous community in Spain which exported the most –the second was Madrid with €39,866m, practically half– and accounted for 25% in the state total, according to data published on Thursday by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

Catalan exports have managed to dodge the different covid variants for the time being, including Omicron, which is currently straining the health system. In fact, despite the restrictions at the beginning of the year, in summer and over Christmas, sales abroad will close the year with the best figures ever. The Catalan government claims exports will reach the record figure of €78bn. In other words, they will exceed by 6% figures obtained in 2019, the last year before the arrival of the pandemic. In addition, they will be 18% higher than 2020 figures, when restrictions were tougher, especially during the second quarter, when Spain was in lockdown and ports and airports worldwide were closed for several months. With these forecasts the sales of Catalan companies abroad will record the highest value since records began in 1993.

Catalan exports have overcome the effects of the covid crisis and are already above pre-pandemic levels. According to data published on Tuesday by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, from January to August Catalonia has sold over €52bn worth of products and services, 6.6% more than during the same period of 2019, before the pandemic. Compared to a year ago, the growth is much more spectacular (25.7%), but at that time Catalonia still suffered many restrictions due to the effects of the coronavirus.

GDP plummeted by over 11% due to the pandemic, but the fall has not affected all companies in the same way. The most internationalised industries, gathered in Amec, have proved to be more resilient and have broken even in 2020 with a slight decline in turnover and maintaining exports and employment, as shown by the Amec's Situation Report 2020, which also predicts a further increase in activity for 2021. "2020 has been a parenthesis," said general director of Amec Joan Tristany on Thursday. He believes these industries will "begin the new era well positioned."