Alberto Núñez Feijóo Criticizes Government's Approach to Tariffs and Separatist Negotiations
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the Popular Party (PP), expressed his discontent with the Spanish government's handling of tariffs on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, alongside European People's Party President Manfred Weber and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Feijóo distanced himself from any agreements made regarding the recent royal decree approved by the Council of Ministers.
He criticized the government's latest proposals as temporary fixes, stating that they have not fundamentally changed, and pointed out that they still revolve around loans and guarantees. 'Today we are not any closer than we were yesterday to supporting that royal decree law, which is a temporary fix and not a solution to the difficulties facing Spanish companies in exporting to the United States,' Feijóo remarked.
His comments come after multiple days of negotiations concerning the tariffs introduced by the United States. Feijóo asserted that the current government under Pedro Sánchez is the one that has moved in the wrong direction, maintaining that the Popular Party is committed to the plan submitted to Moncloa the previous Monday.
He denounced the government's proposed measures as lacking both substance and form, arguing that they focus more on maintaining a precarious political situation rather than resolving the pressing challenges faced by Spanish businesses.
Additionally, Feijóo touched upon what he described as a covert negotiation with the separatist group Junts, suggesting that the PP was not made aware of this negotiation. He stated, 'I have no doubt that the second additional provision of that royal decree law is solely aimed at placating separatism.'
Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the needs of companies over political agendas, Feijóo advocated for the distribution of loans and guarantees directly to businesses involved in exporting to the United States, instead of focusing on territories or specific political parties.
With these statements, Alberto Núñez Feijóo underscored the need for structural solutions rather than temporary remedies to the economic challenges that Spanish companies face in the international trade landscape.
Related Sources: