Maximum tension between Washington and Madrid. The United States proposes imposing heavy fees on Spanish vessels and restricting key imports after determining that Spain blocked access to its ports for American ships. A logistical conflict that puts bilateral trade and the global supply chain at risk.

The trade relationship between United States and Spain has entered a zone of turbulence. The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has concluded that the Spanish Government imposed unfavorable conditions on US-flagged vessels, which has triggered a proposal for forceful economic reprisals.

The trigger: The FMC launched an investigation in December 2024 to analyze whether Spain prohibited access to its ports for ships linked to the transport of goods to Israel. The result was positive: evidence was found that American ships were rejected.

Economic impact and proposed sanctions

The US government does not plan to stand idly by. The proposed measures seek to compensate for the inefficiency and lack of reliability generated in the international supply chain.

Proposed Measure Detail / Amount
Tariffs on vessels 200,000 dollars per Spanish-flagged vessel
Scope of fees Applicable to all Spanish vessels in US ports
Trade restrictions Limitation on the import of specific products

Spanish products in the crosshairs

The trade offensive is not limited to the maritime sector. The US is evaluating restricting the entry of various Spanish products, affecting key industrial sectors:

  • Cosmetics and Perfumery: Luxury and personal care sector.
  • Food: Oils, sugar, and confectionery.
  • Construction and Decoration: Ceramics and stone items.

Currently, the FMC has opened a public consultation period to evaluate the final impacts of these measures and define the final solution to what they consider a violation of international maritime conditions.


Source: IMAGO

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