The tariffs imposed by Donald Trump's US government have affected 2.9% of Catalan exports, according to data published by Acció this Tuesday.
Exports affected by tariffs represent two-thirds of Catalan products sold in the United States, amounting to 2.92 billion euros, while the remaining third, 1.43 billion euros, has been exempted from tariffs following agreements by the European Union.
The new impositions caused Catalan exports to the United States to decrease by 1.9% year-on-year between January and October last year, with the most affected products being perfumery and cosmetics; jewelry, iron and steel manufactures; clothing, motorcycles, coloring matter, and foods such as olive oil, wine, cava, and meat. The only products that have been exempt
Catalonia has a very close commercial relationship with the United States: it is Catalonia's fifth trading partner and the main destination for Catalan exports outside of EuropeAs El Nacional points out, between 2020 and 2024, Catalan exports to the United States grew by 80%.
The United States is the third-largest destination for Spanish exports in perfumery and cosmetics
According to ICEX, the United States has consolidated itself as the third-largest destination for Spanish perfume and cosmetics exports in 2020-2024, with a 10% share and a volume of 760 million euros. In the last five years, the turnover of this market has grown by 250%, reflecting the confidence of American consumers in 'made in Spain' products. However, Spain ranks seventh as a supplier to the United States with a 5.5% share between China (7%) and the United Kingdom (3%). ICEX estimates that Donald Trump's tariff measure has affected more than 700 Spanish companies that exported to the United States and the 166 that do so regularly.