{ "id": "R44298", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "R", "number": "R44298", "active": true, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov, EveryCRSReport.com", "versions": [ { "date": "2020-08-18", "title": "Spain and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief", "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "id": "R44298_8_2020-08-18", "retrieved": "2020-09-07T12:21:57.236519", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2020-08-18_R44298_a07e8019c54cbbd46473d711bed7058e37acf670.pdf", "sha1": "a07e8019c54cbbd46473d711bed7058e37acf670", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44298/8", "format": "PDF" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2020-08-18_R44298_a07e8019c54cbbd46473d711bed7058e37acf670.html" } ], "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R44298", "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "active": true }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 586112, "date": "2018-10-05", "retrieved": "2018-10-05T22:05:04.420688", "title": "Spain and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief", "summary": "The United States and Spain have extensive cultural ties and a mutually beneficial economic relationship, and the two countries cooperate closely on numerous diplomatic and security issues. Spain has been a member of NATO since 1982 and a member of the European Union (EU) since 1986. Given its role as a close U.S. ally and partner, developments in Spain and its relations with the United States are of continuing interest to the U.S. Congress. \nDomestic Political and Economic Issues\nThe government of Spain is led by Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez of the center-left Socialist Workers\u2019 Party (PSOE). S\u00e1nchez became prime minister at the head of a minority government in June 2018, after a parliamentary vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the center-right Popular Party (PP). Rajoy, who had led the government since 2011, was damaged by a corruption scandal involving senior PP figures. Holding less than a quarter of the seats in parliament, the S\u00e1nchez government relies on support from the left-wing party Podemos and several regional parties. \nEconomic conditions, austerity policies, and corruption scandals have fueled public backlash against Spain\u2019s political establishment in recent years. This dynamic fractured Spain\u2019s two-party system, dominated for more than 30 years by the PP and the PSOE, with the emergence of two new parties, Ciudadanos and Podemos. \nOver the past several years, Spain\u2019s economy has experienced a relatively strong recovery, with growth averaging more than 3% annually, a decreasing government budget deficit, and stabilized financial conditions. The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 plunged Spain into a prolonged recession and has had a lasting impact on the country. Unemployment has decreased to 15% after peaking at 26% in 2013. \nCatalonia Crisis\nA crisis over Catalan independence efforts has been the predominant issue in Spain since late 2017. Spain\u2019s central government invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution to dissolve the regional assembly and executive and take direct control of the region after the Catalan parliament held an illegal vote for independence in October 2017. The issue remains deadlocked after separatist parties retained a majority of seats in the regional parliament following a new regional election in December 2017. Spain has charged 13 separatist leaders with rebellion and misuse of public funds, offenses that could carry a lengthy prison sentence. Catalonia accounts for about 15% of Spain\u2019s population and one-fifth of its economy. \nCounterterrorism\nThe United States and Spain cooperate closely on counterterrorism issues. Spanish authorities have dismantled numerous recruiting networks over the past several years, many of them based in Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish enclaves on the north coast of Africa. In 2015, the Spanish Parliament adopted new legislation to strengthen counterterrorism laws and police powers in response to the foreign fighter threat. \nU.S.-Spain Defense Relations\nSpain plays an important role in U.S. defense strategy for Europe and Africa. Four U.S. destroyers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system are based at Rota naval base, and Mor\u00f3n air base is the headquarters for a rapid reaction force of U.S. Marines that protects U.S. interests and personnel in North Africa. \nSpanish armed forces participate in numerous international peacekeeping and security operations, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, the international coalition countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, NATO\u2019s Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Latvia, EU and NATO maritime security missions, and EU operations in the Sahel region. \nSpain\u2019s defense spending was cut during the economic crisis but has been increasing since 2015. With the acquisition of new Eurofighter combat aircraft nearly complete, additional spending is focused largely on planned naval acquisitions. \nU.S.-Spain Economic Relations\nInvestment flows between the United States and Spain totaled more than $105 billion in 2016, and Spanish foreign direct investment in the United States has increased every year since 2002. Annual U.S.-Spain trade in goods and services totals nearly $40 billion. Approximately 1,100 U.S. firms operate subsidiaries and branches in Spain. Affiliates of Spanish companies account for approximately 83,000 jobs in the United States.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44298", "sha1": "fa3a58a8a49600bc5c6e9b8428cd90dc1ea0ca29", "filename": "files/20181005_R44298_fa3a58a8a49600bc5c6e9b8428cd90dc1ea0ca29.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44298_files&id=/1.png": "files/20181005_R44298_images_12ddfa16e4e7cb27f934df7bd27c7eec1f5476ec.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44298_files&id=/0.png": "files/20181005_R44298_images_02e006a8b79d5525169ddddb94a722f8573a0a1b.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44298", "sha1": "0220ad321643ed63a941adb3a9a712360a771fe1", "filename": "files/20181005_R44298_0220ad321643ed63a941adb3a9a712360a771fe1.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 580346, "date": "2018-04-19", "retrieved": "2018-05-10T10:31:54.187518", "title": "Spain and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief", "summary": "The United States and Spain have extensive cultural ties and a mutually beneficial economic relationship, and the two countries cooperate closely on numerous diplomatic and security issues. Spain has been a member of NATO since 1982 and a member of the European Union (EU) since 1986. Given its role as a close U.S. ally and partner, developments in Spain and its relations with the United States are of continuing interest to the U.S. Congress. \nDomestic Political and Economic Issues\nThe government of Spain is led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the center-right Popular Party (PP). Rajoy began his second term as prime minister in 2016 at the head of a minority government, after a 10-month political deadlock caused by two inconclusive general elections. He initially became prime minister after the PP won an absolute parliamentary majority in 2011. \nEconomic conditions, austerity policies, and corruption scandals have fueled public backlash against Spain\u2019s political establishment in recent years. This dynamic fractured Spain\u2019s two-party system, dominated for more than 30 years by the PP and the center-left Socialist Workers\u2019 Party (PSOE), with the emergence of two new parties, Ciudadanos and Podemos. \nOver the past several years, Spain\u2019s economy has experienced a relatively strong recovery, with growth averaging more than 3% annually, a decreasing government budget deficit, and stabilized financial conditions. The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 plunged Spain into a prolonged recession and has had a lasting impact on the country. Unemployment has decreased to 15% after peaking at 26% in 2013. \nCatalonia Crisis\nA crisis over Catalan independence efforts has been the predominant issue in Spain since late 2017. Spain\u2019s central government invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution to dissolve the regional assembly and executive and take direct control of the region after the Catalan parliament held a vote for independence in October 2017. The issue remains deadlocked after separatist parties retained a majority of seats in the regional parliament following a new regional election in December 2017. Spain has charged 13 separatist leaders with rebellion and misuse of public funds, offenses which could carry a lengthy prison sentence. Catalonia accounts for about 15% of Spain\u2019s population and one-fifth of its economy. \nCounterterrorism\nThe United States and Spain cooperate closely on counterterrorism issues. Spanish authorities have dismantled numerous recruiting networks over the past several years, many of them based in Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish enclaves on the north coast of Africa. In 2015, the Spanish Parliament adopted new legislation to strengthen counterterrorism laws and police powers in response to the foreign fighter threat. \nU.S.-Spain Defense Relations\nSpain plays an important role in U.S. defense strategy for Europe and Africa. Four U.S. destroyers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system are based at Rota naval base, and Mor\u00f3n air base is the headquarters for a rapid reaction force of U.S. Marines that protects U.S. interests and personnel in North Africa. \nSpanish armed forces participate in numerous international peacekeeping and security operations, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, the international coalition countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, NATO\u2019s Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Latvia, EU and NATO maritime security missions, and EU operations in the Sahel region. \nSpain\u2019s defense spending was cut during the economic crisis but has been increasing since 2015. With the acquisition of new Eurofighter combat aircraft nearly complete, additional spending is focused largely on planned naval acquisitions. \nU.S.-Spain Economic Relations\nInvestment flows between the United States and Spain totaled more than $105 billion in 2016, and Spanish foreign direct investment in the United States has increased every year since 2002. Annual U.S.-Spain trade in goods and services totals nearly $40 billion. Approximately 1,100 U.S. firms operate subsidiaries and branches in Spain. Affiliates of Spanish companies account for approximately 83,000 jobs in the United States.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44298", "sha1": "1127f4d4fcefc7697ae82b4cac9dbc1e3ec9a1ab", "filename": "files/20180419_R44298_1127f4d4fcefc7697ae82b4cac9dbc1e3ec9a1ab.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44298_files&id=/0.png": "files/20180419_R44298_images_67e425d0d811667964af2167d943298d268664ae.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44298", "sha1": "7dae2c6621ccff6836680415427d3158b903a1e6", "filename": "files/20180419_R44298_7dae2c6621ccff6836680415427d3158b903a1e6.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 447758, "date": "2015-12-04", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T17:47:38.134646", "title": "Spain and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief", "summary": "The United States and Spain have extensive cultural ties and a mutually beneficial economic relationship, and the two countries cooperate closely on numerous diplomatic and security issues. Spain has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 1982 and a member of the European Union (EU) since 1986. \nGiven its role as a close U.S. ally and partner, developments in Spain and its relations with the United States are of continuing interest to the U.S. Congress. This report provides an overview and assessment of some of the main dimensions of these topics.\nDomestic Political and Economic Issues\nThe government of Spain is led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the center-right Popular Party (PP). The PP won an absolute majority in the general election of November 2011. From 2004 to 2011, the government of Spain was led by Jos\u00e9 Luis Rodr\u00edguez Zapatero of the center-left Socialist Workers\u2019 Party (PSOE).\nThe next election is scheduled for December 20, 2015. Economic conditions, austerity policies, and corruption scandals have fueled public backlash against Spain\u2019s political establishment in recent years. Two new parties, Ciudadanos and Podemos, are challenging the PP and PSOE for votes. Polls indicate that the election is likely to result in Spain\u2019s first coalition government since the current constitution was adopted in 1978. \nThe global financial crisis of 2008-2009 ended a decade of strong economic growth and plunged Spain into a prolonged recession. The government budget deficit and debt increased, and unemployment rose dramatically. Intervention in 2012 by Spain\u2019s Eurozone partners and the European Central Bank helped restore confidence in the country\u2019s economy and stabilize the banking sector. Although economic conditions remain difficult and unemployment remains above 20%, there are signs of improvement, including forecasts for sustained economic growth over the next several years.\nRegional Issues\nThe Spanish government is firmly opposed to a long-standing independence movement in Catalonia, a region of northeast Spain that includes Barcelona. In November 2015, Spain\u2019s constitutional court blocked an attempt by the regional Catalan parliament to begin the process of forming an independent state. Catalonia held a non-binding referendum in November 2014 that returned a large majority for independence, but such a referendum would only be legally binding under the country\u2019s constitution if convened by the central government. \nCounterterrorism\nThe United States and Spain cooperate closely on counterterrorism issues. An estimated 50 to 100 Spanish citizens and approximately 1,200 Moroccan nationals with Spanish residency cards are thought to have joined jihadist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. Spanish authorities have dismantled numerous recruiting networks over the past several years, many of them based in Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish enclaves on the coast of Morocco. In March 2015, the Spanish Parliament adopted new legislation to strengthen counterterrorism laws and police powers in response to the foreign fighter threat. \nU.S.-Spain Defense Relations\nSpain plays an important role in U.S. defense strategy for Europe and Africa. Four U.S. destroyers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system are stationed at the Rota naval base as part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense in Europe. Additionally, Mor\u00f3n air base is the headquarters for a rapid reaction force of 2,200 U.S. Marines that protects U.S. interests and personnel in North Africa. \nSpanish armed forces participate in numerous international peacekeeping and security operations, including in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mali, and Somalia. In the context of longstanding U.S. concerns about low European defense spending, Spain\u2019s budget austerity has included considerable cuts to the defense budget in recent years. \nU.S.-Spain Economic Relations\nInvestment flows between the United States and Spain totaled nearly $80 billion in 2013, and the trade relationship totaled nearly $25 billion in 2014. Approximately 1,200 U.S. firms operate subsidiaries and branches in Spain. Affiliates of Spanish companies account for approximately 73,000 jobs in the United States. Spanish officials have supported the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership under negotiation between the United States and the EU.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44298", "sha1": "a52b29002b03551f885bb393be90ba23af27a6d2", "filename": "files/20151204_R44298_a52b29002b03551f885bb393be90ba23af27a6d2.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44298", "sha1": "fca737a63079273d17e1eccb7e2471b57ef3fed2", "filename": "files/20151204_R44298_fca737a63079273d17e1eccb7e2471b57ef3fed2.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] } ], "topics": [ "European Affairs", "Foreign Affairs", "Intelligence and National Security", "National Defense" ] }