Icex chief says US market remains irreplaceable for Spanish firms, though additional opportunities exist there
Executive summary: Elisa Carbonell of Icex said Spanish firms have no alternative markets to the US but can pursue additional opportunities there. Highlights continued reliance on the US market for Spanish internationalisation efforts and suggests limited diversification.
Who is involved: Elisa Carbonell (Icex), Spanish companies, US market.
Likely next: Icex may launch programs to help Spanish firms expand additional US operations while monitoring alternative market prospects.
Elisa Carbonell, head of Spain's Icex agency, stated that Spanish companies cannot find alternative markets to the United States but can still pursue additional opportunities there. The remark underscores the continued primacy of the US as a destination for Spanish internationalisation, despite ongoing debates about diversification. It suggests that Icex will likely focus its support on strengthening US ties while monitoring other regions for complementary prospects.
Timeline
- — Elisa Carbonell (Icex): “Para las empresas españolas no hay mercados alternativos a EE UU, pero adicionales sí” (El País — Economía)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Policy watch for any shifts in US‑Spain trade relations
Sectors affected
- International trade
- Consulting and promotion services
- Manufacturing with US exposure
Regulatory implications
- Monitoring of US trade policy for any protectionist shifts
- Potential need for Icex to adapt programmes if market access changes
Historical parallels
- Earlier 2026‑06‑28 El País article contrasting US investment discourse with actual flows
- 2026‑06‑27 piece on Europe’s efforts to capture funds flowing to the US
Key entities
Sources
- Elisa Carbonell (Icex): “Para las empresas españolas no hay mercados alternativos a EE UU, pero adicionales sí” — El País — Economía
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