Ayuso criticizes Trump's tariffs as a mistake leading to poverty

Friday 04 April 2025 - 11:00

By: Zahouani Ilham

Ayuso criticizes Trump's tariffs as a mistake leading to poverty

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, strongly opposed the tariffs imposed by the United States under Donald Trump’s administration. She described these measures as a “huge mistake” that would lead to increased poverty and hoped that this trend would soon end. Additionally, Ayuso criticized the plan proposed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, labeling it as just another “pretext” to complicate the national budget. She pointed out that the central government is not in a position to defend free-market policies, particularly after eliminating the Golden Visa program, which she argued undermines investments and wealth.

During a visit to the Bayer pharmaceutical plant in Alcalá de Henares, Ayuso declared her opposition to tariffs, barriers, and protectionism, emphasizing the importance of a more open, globalized world. She condemned the tariffs as a severe error by governments, warning that they would only lead to greater poverty. These comments followed the announcement from the U.S. government that it would impose a 20% tariff on all products from the European Union and a 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages.

Ayuso reaffirmed her support for a low-tax environment and a market-driven economy that encourages investment and enhances the daily lives of citizens. She stressed that Madrid's success has been built on such policies, creating a balance between private enterprise and public services. She concluded by hoping for a return to rational policies soon.

Later that day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez introduced a €14.1 billion plan to counteract the effects of the U.S. tariffs. Ayuso, however, criticized Sánchez’s government, particularly for its recent elimination of the Golden Visa program, suggesting that the government is not a credible advocate for free trade. She also highlighted the government's frequent tax hikes, noting that they had raised taxes 94 times, directly affecting 47% of households, which collectively have paid an additional €3,076 each due to these increases.