“If there is no reversal of this decision, it is very bad for Portuguese companies exporting to the United States. If there is no reversal, there is no going back, so it’s better to find an alternative now,” said Luís Marques Mendes to journalists during a visit to the Mafra Bread Festival, accompanied by PSD municipal candidates.
As the European Union awaits decisions following the announcement of a 30% tariff imposition on all EU products by U.S. President Donald Trump, the presidential candidate argued that Portugal should seek other markets.
“The key alternative I believe should be considered is Mercosur, a market that includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, with which the European Union recently signed an agreement. This agreement needs to be ratified and this new market, which consists of 250 million people, should be explored as an alternative to the American market,” explained Marques Mendes.
The candidate emphasized that the search for alternative markets should happen “as soon as possible.”
