Trump reignites the trade war: Audi cars blocked and Spanish products under threat — what it means for your business in Spain

Contents

1. Why this matters to expats in Spain
2. What’s happening with Audi cars and why it matters
3. Which Spanish products are affected by U.S. tariffs?
4. What’s the economic impact on Spain?
5. What can small businesses in Spain do about it?

Why this matters to expats in Spain

As an expat running your own business in Spain—maybe selling jamón serrano, exporting olive oil, or opening a boutique deli—you’ve probably discovered how rewarding (and complex) Europe’s export ecosystem can be. But this year, politics in the U.S. could hit your margins harder than you expect.

Donald Trump, back in the spotlight during his presidential campaign, has announced aggressive trade measures: tariffs ranging from 10% to 60% on Chinese goods, and direct attacks on key European sectors—starting with German cars and Spanish gourmet exports.

What once seemed like distant policy is now impacting real businesses—like yours—on the ground in Spain.

What’s happening with Audi cars and why it matters

Thousands of Audi vehicles are currently stuck in U.S. ports, blocked by newly applied 25% tariffs on European cars. Audi, alongside Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, has frozen shipments altogether. While this may sound like a German problem, it hits Spain too. Why? Because Spain is part of the automotive supply chain: from component manufacturing in Catalonia and the Basque Country to logistics and distribution companies that depend on these brands.

If you’re importing, exporting, or servicing anything related to European automotive—or even running a local garage that relies on parts—this is not someone else’s crisis. It’s yours too.

Which Spanish products are affected by U.S. tariffs?

The U.S. government isn’t stopping with cars. Spain has come under fire as well, with flagship products now facing penalties or threats of drastic tariff increases. These include:

• Jamón ibérico and olive oil – currently under a 10% tariff, with threats of rising to 50%
• Wines and cavas – facing potential duties of up to 200%
• Steel, aluminum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals – already impacted by 25% tariffs or stalled growth

If you’re selling gourmet products to expats, running a food brand aimed at U.S. tourists, or supplying boutique hotels and restaurants — your margins may soon be at risk.

What’s the economic impact on Spain?

The Bank of Spain has warned that the national economy may slow down in 2025, with growth projections cut to 2–2.4%, down from the expected 2.7%. Exports are dropping. The trade deficit is widening. And inflation is creeping back into logistics and supply chains.

And for entrepreneurs like you, it all adds up to one thing: uncertainty.

What can small businesses in Spain do about it?

If you're a small business owner in Spain—especially if you’re an expat building something from scratch—you might already be feeling the pressure: shipping delays, increased supplier costs, new paperwork for U.S. exports, and customers asking why your jamón, cava, or skincare line suddenly costs more.

But here's the good news: There are ways to adapt, pivot, and even thrive—if you're smart about where you go next.

1. Don’t depend on the U.S. market

It’s tempting to sell to the U.S.—the market is big, the buying power is strong, and Spanish products have great appeal. But if the regulatory environment becomes too volatile, your growth becomes fragile.

Start thinking:

• Can I shift focus to European neighbors where tariffs aren’t an issue?
• What about Latin America, where Spanish brands still carry prestige but barriers are fewer?
• Could Gulf countries or North Africa be interested in my premium olive oil or gourmet offerings?

Outsourcing Planet can help you research, contact, and qualify new buyers and distributors in these markets—without you having to build a sales team from scratch.

2. Increase your profit margin through local optimization

If global trade is shaky, your internal operation needs to be rock solid. That means:

• Automating sales follow-ups and invoicing
• Outsourcing lead generation and commercial prospecting
• Streamlining your product catalog around higher-margin SKUs
• Reworking your pricing model for non-dollar markets (EUR, AED, MXN...)

Let us help you build a resilient sales funnel that adapts to new realities and still delivers predictable growth.

3. Think like a global brand, act like a lean startup

Big brands are slow to adapt. You don’t have to be.

You can:

• Test a new market in 30 days
• Launch a targeted outreach campaign in another language
• Build a distributor network with zero up-front hires

At Outsourcing Planet, we connect expat founders and small Spanish producers with vetted buyers in Europe, LATAM and the MENA region. Whether you sell jamón, artisan products, software or services—we help you find better markets, not just cheaper ones.

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Your business doesn’t end where the border begins.

📦 The U.S. was one market.
🌍 The world is still wide open.

Let’s reposition your sales strategy so it works—no matter who’s in power.

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