Catalan exports US tariffs now affect nearly 3% of all goods sold by Catalonia worldwide. Consequently, this marks a significant shift in transatlantic trade relations. Data published on Tuesday by Acció, the Catalan agency for business competitiveness, reveals that the levies introduced by Donald Trump have impacted approximately €2.92 billion of Catalan products.
While the overall impact spans a small percentage of global trade, the specific effects on the US market are substantial. In fact, two-thirds of all Catalan exports to the United States are now taxed. Only 33% of products—valued at €1.43 billion—remain exempt from customs charges under current agreements between Washington and the European Union.
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Catalan exports US tariffs: Wine, oil and machinery face heaviest burden
The tariffs have not applied evenly across the board. The agency identified specific industries that are bearing the brunt of the new trade barriers. The most affected goods include perfumery, cosmetics, jewellery, and clothing. Traditional agricultural exports such as olive oil, wine, cava, and meat are also heavily impacted, alongside heavy industrial goods like iron, steel, and motorcycles. This comes as the region’s agricultural sector also deals with domestic challenges, such as the recent African swine fever outbreak in Catalonia.
The consequences of these measures are already visible in trade statistics. Between January and October 2025, sales of Catalan goods to the US fell by 1.9% compared to the same period in the previous year. The region’s wine producers, who recently showcased their offerings at Barcelona Wine Week 2026, are among those feeling the pressure. Therefore, this decline signals a sharp reversal of recent trends, as the US market had become a critical engine for Catalan economic growth.
Catalan exports US tariffs: End of an export boom
The current contraction contrasts starkly with the rapid expansion seen during the presidency of Joe Biden. Between 2020 and 2024, US tariffs on Catalan exports were less of a factor, and sales to the American market soared by 80%. This period of expansion was supported by a growing workforce, with the region seeing a record number of foreign workers in Catalonia. By the end of that period, the United States had cemented its position as Catalonia’s fifth-largest trading partner and the most important one outside Europe.
This growth had allowed the US to surpass the United Kingdom as a trade destination, primarily due to the complications Brexit imposed on British trade. However, the return of aggressive protectionist policies has stalled this momentum. Trump’s administration has consistently argued that the US is a victim of economic abuse by the EU and China, citing trade deficits as justification for the levies.
Catalan exports US tariffs: Government aid and national trade deficit
To mitigate the damage, the Generalitat has launched direct financial support for affected businesses. In 2025, the government allocated €33.2 million in aid to 996 companies to help them navigate the tariff crisis. Acció has also organised information sessions to help exporters adjust to the new customs reality.
Broader trade data released alongside the Acció report highlights a widening gap in Spain’s national accounts. According to the report published by Ara, Spain’s trade deficit grew to €51.48 billion in the first eleven months of 2025. This represents an increase of more than 42% compared to the previous year. While Spanish exports hit a record high of nearly €357 billion, imports grew at a much faster pace, driving the deficit higher.
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