Spain and the U.S. in View of Obama's Arrival

Barack Obama’s victory in the presidential elections has brought about a renewed interest in Spain for the U.S. As many political leaders of different ideologies and those responsible for foreign policy have already expressed, Obama’s victory could represent an intensification and strengthening of the important ties that unite Spain with the great North American nation.

In the sphere of civil society one of the institutions that has put forth a major effort to reinforce these ties has been the Fundación Consejo España-Estados Unidos (and its US counterpart, the U.S.-Spain Council). It was founded in 1997 and is mostly composed of representatives of Spanish companies with an important presence in the U.S., although the cultural world, universities, major political parties and the Administration also play a role. Trying to precisely coordinate the initiatives of private business and the Administration, the FCEE has succeeded in promoting cooperation between the two countries in these distinct areas. Furthermore, not only has the foundation developed programs for the improvement of the United States’ image in Spain and vice versa, it has also fomented the relationship between Spain and the important U.S. community of Hispanic origin.

There are many links between both nations of the which we’re not always conscious. I would like to point out three in particular.

In the first place there exists the long history of our common bonds even if it hasn’t pierced the collective memory of both sides of the Atlantic. A transcendental fact such as Spain’s essential assistance to the process of independence for the United States demonstrates that our affinity began in the first days of the American Revolution. The personal relationship between Washington and Diego Maria Gardoqui or Benjamin Franklin and the Count of Aranda were essential, along with the decisive military action of Bernardo de Galvez in Pensacola or the trip to Madrid of one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S Republic, John Jay.

The financial and military aid that Spain conceded to the young republic, afterwards ignored and perhaps even intentionally undervalued because of other unfortunate historical events, constitutes an important milestone in our shared history that deserves to be highlighted.

In addition to this aid to gain independence one must consider the profound spiritual and material footprint that Spain has left in the entire Southwest of the U.S., and which today is connected to the spread of our language and customs due to the immense population of Hispanic origin. The U.S. presently has the second largest Hispanic population in the world, behind Mexico and ahead of Spain itself. To gain a better understanding and a more relevant image of our country in the U.S. it is crucial to recuperate our common historical and cultural roots.

Certainly the recent elections have revealed the enormous electoral and political weight of the U.S. community of Hispanic origin. The growth of our relationship with this community has to constitute one of the principal starting points for our bilateral relations.

In second place, we must remember that in the past ten years an authentic transformation of the economic and business ties between both countries has been produced.

The historical influence of U.S. companies on Spain’s economy, which have traditionally been the prime foreign investors, is well known. However what many don’t know is that in recent years Spain has also been at the head of foreign investors in the U.S., with a total of $35 billion in such relevant and visible sectors as energy, the iron and steel industry, the food industry, transportation concessions or banking. Just to give a specific case, in such important states as Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Kentucky or Texas U.S. citizens that work for Spanish businesses number in the thousands. This has forced the economic and business relationship to take on a richer, fuller and more balanced perspective than in the past; one through which both parties recognize that there is much to learn from one another.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I would like to point out the educational ties in which the protagonists of the future of our relationship play a role. This interest in learning from one another is increasing. We all know that many Spanish students aspire to enroll in American universities, but it’s little known that Spain is the second most popular country, behind the U.K., that U.S. students choose for their studies abroad.

We should take advantage of the new era that is now beginning with the Obama Administration. Spanish civil society (businesses, universities, social forces), which shares with U.S. civil society common democratic values, like equal opportunity, liberty and progress, will undoubtedly benefit from the consolidation of relations between Spain and the United States. This is a primary objective for all of us.

José Ignacio Goirigolzarri is CEO of Spanish bank BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) and President of the Fundación Consejo España-Estados Unidos.

Transatlantic ties? A common history, millions of hispanics, numerous investments and university student exchange.

U.S. In Depth

Capital: Washington

Government: Federal Republic

Population: 303,824,640 (est. 2008)

Spain In Depth

Capital: Madrid

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Population: 40,491,052 (est. 2008)