Today, the President of the Junta has met with representatives of the productive sectors, Social Dialogue agents, Chamber Council, OPAs, political parties, and the Regional Federation of Municipalities and Provinces to further strengthen the measures already implemented by the regional government with the aim of promoting internationalization, financing of working capital, and opening up to new markets. Additionally, Fernández Mañueco has advocated for the implementation of structural actions that improve the competitiveness of companies and reduce costs, such as the development of the Atlantic Corridor, the reinforcement of the State’s electrical infrastructure network in Castilla and León, and the promotion of a unique energy framework through renewables, among others.
April 15, 2025
Castilla y León |
President of the Junta of Castilla and León
The President of the Junta of Castilla and León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, has held several working meetings today at the Presidency headquarters with the objective of articulating a common strategy to reinforce the Community’s position against the US tariff policy and the current geopolitical situation.
Firstly, he has met with different organizations from the productive sector, Social Dialogue agents, Chamber Council, and Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs), and subsequently with representatives of the political parties represented in the Courts and the Regional Federation of Municipalities and Provinces of Castilla and León.
With the main objective of supporting companies and workers, the President of the Junta has proposed to strengthen the measures adopted by the regional government after the announcement of tariffs, which included aids to promote the internationalization of companies, financing of working capital, and fostering the opening up to new markets.
On the other hand, Fernández Mañueco has suggested that structural measures be implemented, most of which fall within the competence of the Spanish Government, to adapt the economy of Castilla and León to this new economic cycle. Among these measures are the reinforcement of the State’s electrical infrastructure network in Castilla and León, the promotion of a unique energy and industrial framework based on the production of renewable energies, the definitive development of the Atlantic Corridor as an attractive ecosystem for investment, and the implementation of legal reforms to simplify bureaucracy and facilitate private investment.
Furthermore, the leader of the regional government has advocated for increased investment in innovation and technology to promote the development of more competitive products and the creation of quality employment, as well as the establishment of a labor observatory to measure the impact of this process on employment and to invest in talent.
Impact on the economy of Castilla and León
The tariff policy announced by the United States can have a significant impact on the economy of Castilla and León, especially in key sectors such as automotive, which represents about 40% of the Community’s exports, wine, agri-food, capital goods, metal industries, and the chemical-pharmaceutical sector.
Therefore, in this situation, it is necessary to analyze and monitor continuously how the announcement of tariffs affects the Community. On the one hand, in the direct exports from Castilla and León to the United States, which account for around 3% of the total sales of the Community abroad, according to the latest data from March; on the other hand, in the indirect exports through other countries of the European Union that trade with the United States; and finally, in the changes in the global flows of import and export of countries that traditionally sold to the US market and that are currently seeking new destinations, with the consequent harm to the competitiveness of Castilla and León in those markets.
Attendees at the meetings
The first meeting focused on dialogue with organizations and entities from the productive sectors and social agents of the Community. Participants included Santiago Aparicio, CEO of CEOE Castilla and León; Isabel Clavero, from ICEX; Antonio Miguel Méndez Pozo, President of the Chamber of Commerce Council of Castilla and León; María Paz Robina, President of FACYL; Santiago Miguel Casado, President of VITARTIS; Carlos Bustos, Vice President of CBECyL; Israel Martín, from CYLSOLAR; Estíbaliz González, President of AEICE; Alberto Manzanares, from IGP Queso Castellano; Enrique Pascual, President of AVOCyL – Association of Wines with Origin CYL; Pedro Luis Sánchez, from FARMAINDUSTRIA; Pablo Crespo, General Secretary of FENIN; Andrés Hernando, Board Member of Family Business of Castilla and León; Jerónimo Lozano, Director of URCACYL; Pedro Pisonero, General Director of IBERAVAL; Óscar Lobo, UGT; Vicente Andrés, CCOO; Donaciano Dujo, ASAJA CYL; Lorenzo Rivera, COAG CYL; Aurelio González, UPA CYL; and Valentín García, from UCCL.
Subsequently, the President met with the representatives of the political parties represented in the Courts of Castilla and León: Francisco Vázquez (PP); Carlos Martínez (PSOE); David Hierro (VOX); Carlos Javier Salgado (UPL); Ángel Ceña (Soria ¡YA!); and José Ramón Budiño (XÁVILA). Also present at this meeting were the President of the Regional Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, Ángeles Armisén; Aitana Hernando (Mayor of Miranda de Ebro), José María Bravo (Mayor of San Miguel Bernuy), and Eduardo Morán (Mayor of Camponaraya), members of the Executive Committee of this organization.