In the middle of the commercial war, Portugal is a supplier of iron or steel, insulin, halogenated corticosteroids derived and semi -launch or chemical wood derivatives.
Portugal has the capacity to supply the European market with Five products considered strategicaccording to a study by the Ministry of Economy Strategy and Study Office (GHG).
The analysis, which evaluated the European Union (EU) commercial flows in 2019, concludes that the country can be a key piece to reduce the block’s external dependence on certain sectors, in a context of growing fragmentation of the world economy and the trade war launched by Donald Trump.
The study identified 137 Productsout of a total of 5,200 analyzed, in which the EU has a high dependence on imports from third countries, representing about 6% of the total value of its imports – approximately 116 billion euros. These products include chemicals such as fertilizers and medicines, and gross or processed metals such as steel, aluminum and iron.
Within this universe, Portugal was appointed as alternative supplier in five cases: Iron or steel manufacturing residues, insulin, corticosteroid hormone derivatives (used as anti-inflammatory drugs), aniline derivatives (for the production of chemicals and medicines) and semi-branched or chemical wood pulp (used in paper production).
Three of these products are marketed by large exporting companies National: insulin, by Eli Lilly Export; the corticosteroids by Pfizer; and chemical wood, by Navigator. The three companies are among the 10 largest exporters in Portugal in 2024, the.
The Gee stresses that this capacity represents “an opportunity for the Portuguese economy”, at a time when it becomes crucial reinforce internal productiondiversify suppliers within the EU and reduce commercial vulnerabilities. Between 2019 and 2022, Portugal registered a commercial surplus of over 100,000 euros in each of the five products, qualifying as a potential supplier for the European domestic market and an alternative to the United States.
The report also points out that, in the panorama of the EU’s strategic facilities, China plays a predominant role, responding for 52% of imports Of these critical products, followed by Vietname (11%) and Brazil (5%).
The creation of new commercial routes between the Member States and the reinforcement of internal partnerships are pointed out as essential strategies for strengthening Europe’s economic resilience and reducing US and China dependence.
