Spain’s Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz has vowed the government will ‘protect our people’ after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade with Spain.
Speaking on Wednesday, the deputy prime minister revealed she has called an urgent meeting with trade unions and business leaders to prepare a response if the US follows through with economic measures.
Diaz said she had already contacted Spain’s main employers’ organisations and unions and summoned them to talks to discuss immediate measures to shield workers and companies.
‘I want to send a message of calm,’ she said. ‘We are going to protect our people.’
The minister made the comments while opening a conference organised by the Labour Ministry titled The Power of Work in the Age of Algorithms.
She began her speech by addressing the growing diplomatic tension with Washington.
‘Spain is a sovereign country and a country of peace,’ Diaz said.
‘When we say we are sovereign, it means we have the legitimacy to decide our lives, our policies and our rights. We do not accept blackmail or lectures from anyone.’
Her remarks echoed the message delivered earlier by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who declared Spain’s position on the Iran conflict is simply: ‘No to the war.’
Diaz said the government is already working on a package of protections in case the dispute hits Spain’s economy.
The measures under discussion include support for companies, protections for workers and tenants, help with energy costs and steps to keep food prices under control.
‘We are looking at measures for businesses, workers, the social shield, protection for tenants, the shopping basket, energy and above all the common good of the country,’ she said.
Diaz insisted Spain has faced major crises before and managed to protect jobs and families.
‘We did it during the pandemic,’ she said. ‘We will do it again. We will rise to the challenge.’
