U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s latest warning to the EU—‘Buy more American oil and gas, or face tariffs’—is sparking mixed reactions worldwide. During his 2024 campaign, Trump doubled down on protectionist trade policies, proposing 10-20% tariffs on EU exports like cars and machinery. But how do Spaniards feel about this potential economic showdown? 🚗⚡
CGTN hit the streets of Madrid to find out. ‘It’s a mistake in a globalized world where goods and trade have a general flow,’ said resident Pablo Martinez, echoing concerns that tariffs could disrupt supply chains and inflate prices. Many young professionals we spoke to worry about how this could impact Spain’s tech and automotive sectors—key drivers of the EU’s fourth-largest economy. 📉🔧
While Trump’s ‘America First’ strategy plays well with some voters stateside, experts argue that slapping tariffs on allies risks fueling trade wars. ‘Nobody wins when diplomacy is replaced with tariffs,’ tweeted economist Clara Fernández, comparing the move to ‘playing Jenga with the global economy.’ 🧱💥
As the EU weighs its response, one thing’s clear: young Spaniards want solutions that keep markets open—not walls up. 🌐🤝
