'We have reason to be nervous' as Trump's tariffs come into effect

These are weeks of uncertainty for businesses all over the world regarding the new US tariff policy, and Catalan exporters are no exception.

The entry into force of the new levies came into effect on Wednesday and is already disrupting the day-to-day activity of businesses with their main markets in the US.

This is the case of the Molí Parellada winery in Torrelavit (Alt Penedès), which has 8,400 bottles stopped at the port of Barcelona by order of the importer. A 20% tariff is now being applied to wine and cava.

Another of the affected sectors is steel, which has had a 25% tariff for a month. "We are trying to stay calm, but we have reasons to be nervous," say Transmesa, a manufacturer of tubes for machinery and the automotive industry based in Arenys de Mar (Maresme).

The metallurgical company manufactures precision tubes for oil injectors, hydraulic systems, and cooling circuits, among other applications. The American market represents 25% of its production and the "movements" that are taking place in the US are generating "unease" in the company.

The CEO of Transmesa, Joan Ramon Domènech, admits that some effects are already being noticed. "We see that there are fewer orders coming in these days because people are scared."

Domènech even believes that an economic standstill due to "fear" or the fall of the stock markets is "more dangerous than the tariff itself."

Agricultural machinery manufacturers in the Lleida region are exercising prudence and opting for market diversification in the face of the tariffs.

Although the impact among manufacturers is uneven, since not all of them export to the United States, in general terms, they expect a global increase in the price of their products as a result of the tariff crisis.

This was explained to the Catalan News Agency by the president of the territorial association of the sector, Marc Gili.

One of the firms that is most affected by Trump's tariffs is Arcusin, in Vila-sana (Pla d'Urgell), which has decided to stop exports to the United States. The country was previously its main market, where they sold 50% of their production, and they are now looking for alternative markets.

US tariffs

The United States is imposing tariffs of at least 20% on imports from the European Union starting this Wednesday.

According to the executive order of US President Donald Trump, signed last Wednesday, the universal 10% tax on all imports is increased to 20% for European imports, except for those products that already pay 25% tariffs, such as steel, aluminum and cars.

Tariffs of 104% are also coming into force in China, 30% in South Africa, 26% in India, and 24% in Japan.

The EU and India are trying to negotiate with the White House, but Beijing has quickly responded with new tariffs on the US and is ready to "fight to the end" in a trade war with Trump.