The National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) held a meeting today with the Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, to discuss U.S. tariff policies.
“What the CNA conveyed to the Minister of Agriculture today is that there is a need, beyond market diversification, for a national response and for an internal market focus,” stated CNA leader Pedro Santos in remarks to Lusa.
Farmers believe that the focus should be on domestic consumption and short commercialization circuits to ensure public procurement, especially in the supply of schools and hospitals.
The CNA also supports diversifying the markets with which Portugal maintains commercial relationships, particularly concerning products that will be most impacted by Donald Trump’s tariff policy, such as wine.
However, Pedro Santos warned that the effects will be felt in more categories, such as cork and olive oil. Additionally, there will be indirect impacts, like increased stock levels.
The confederation is calling for a European Union-level response, highlighting that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is far from the current reality, necessitating a redefinition to support producers.
“Family agriculture should not have to bear the brunt of the tariffs. The problems already existed […], and the tariffs only serve to worsen them. Portugal needs a response, whether from this government or a future one,” he concluded.
According to the CNA, this was a consultation meeting, with the Minister of Agriculture mentioning that he is working alongside the government, particularly with the Ministry of Economy, to find solutions to this issue.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the imposition of a base global tariff of 10% on all countries deemed to be creating trade barriers against American products, with an additional tariff for those considered “worst offenders.”
A tariff of 20% will be applied to all imports from the European Union.
