Catalonia pushes 'new international alliances' amid Middle East conflict

The Catalan government is intensifying efforts to forge new international partnerships and "diversify" markets amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Against a backdrop of rising protectionism in the United States, Salvador Illa's administration is expanding Catalonia's "international presence" across Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Americas.

In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Jaume Duch, Catalonia's Minister for EU and Foreign Affairs, identified Asia as the government's "key bet," noting that the continent "is consolidating as a power" economically, politically, technologically, and scientifically.

The Socialist administration is also pursuing partnerships in key economic sectors, including the automotive, chemical, agri-food, semiconductor, and supercomputing industries.

Officials say international engagement has been a priority since the start of the legislature but has intensified "in response to the commercial threats" from the Trump administration and the socio-economic effects of the Middle East conflict, on top of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

"If this was already evident a few months ago, it is even more so now," Duch said.

When asked about the role of Catalonia's foreign offices, Duch emphasized that these delegations also promote "Catalonia's economic interests abroad."