Donald Trump's victory has come to certify an uncomfortable truth. The world to come is on its way to reversing, at least for a long time, some of the truths with which we had built the narrative of the globalized and interconnected world of recent decades. On the one hand, the conviction that the West and the transatlantic axis, even with relevant contradictions, were the defenders of people's fundamental rights, of an open world, and of mutual solidarity. On the other, the conviction that the use of diplomacy, dialogue, and concerted action, whether political, economic, cultural, or environmental, constituted the central instruments for building a global governance that was as necessary as it was fragile and complex. All of that has imploded in one fell swoop and the world ---if we don't contain it--- is on its way to becoming the law of the jungle.
The speeches of Trump and those of his disciples and allies in both America and Europe are highly flammable. It has taken only a few days to see how the first measures adopted are leading us to a fast and furious world in which the law of the strongest will prevail. After pointing to immigration as one of the main evils of the United States and initiating a hunt and expulsion of thousands of illegal immigrants, he has not hesitated to open a trade war against one of its most solid and historically important partners, neighbors, and allies, Canada. In addition to applying tariffs equally to Mexico and China, he is already announcing measures against another of its traditional partners and allies, the European Union.
Trump thus opens the melon and legitimizes the era of full-blown international political bullying that leads us to a reconfiguration of strategies, regulations, and relationships with unpredictable results. There will be pain, Trump himself has acknowledged, in an attempt to make America great again. It is likely that Trump will not change the world in four years, but he is going to turn it upside down, and his actions and policies will have an enormous impact both on the value chains of the global economy and on world geopolitics, with the risk of sweeping away the already complex European unity of action.
The need and opportunity for new leadership from new global cities like Barcelona and territorial realities like Catalonia emerges.In this context, states will be quite busy containing the Trump storm and dealing with the regulatory and economic consequences. National governments will have little time and space to manage and rebuild spaces for dialogue and consensus.The geopolitical urgencies and the security economy agenda, juxtaposed with the problems of internal national agendas, will make it difficult for them to think about how to preserve fundamental values, the defense of an open world, and active work to preserve coexistence.
It is in this context that the need and opportunity for new leadership from new global cities like Barcelona and subnational and territorial realities like Catalonia emerge. In an increasingly polarized and conflictive world, a good part of purpose-driven companies, as well as the best liberal and progressive talent, will seek refuge in cities and territories that are aligned with their values and can offer coherent and balanced platforms for economic, social, and environmental development.
Barcelona and Catalonia thus have the responsibility ---and the opportunity--- to be one of those positive references that the world needs. Our country and our capital have a privileged geographical position between Asia and America, as well as good connectivity both in some of the economic value chains and in terms of connectivity, that is, physical and digital infrastructures. We also have world-class research centers and business schools, and the quality of life ---despite some imbalances--- attracts talent from all over the world. All of this offers us new opportunities to attract investments and talent from those who share values and a vision of an open, competitive, and inclusive world, whether they are multinationals, startups, and entrepreneurs.
Barcelona and Catalonia must promote, defend, and demonstrate that a vision of the world that combines competitiveness, sustainability, and equity is possibleBarcelona and Catalonia, having turned the page on the lost decade in which they self-harmed and looked inward, must raise their voice and once again deploy daring, bold, and collaborative activism for an open world. A Barcelona and a Catalonia that are at the same time inspiring for other cities and territories, as well as for companies, executives, and economic and social groups around the world.We can and must do it, because, in addition to connectivity in value chains or infrastructures, Barcelona has a unique and differential ingredient: emotional connectivity with a good part of the world.
Our city is known and recognized as a city with progressive and inclusive values that, in addition to its economic assets or tourist interest, places respect for people and social cohesion, and individual and collective respect for diversity at its center. Faced with other ultraliberal city models that also advocate for an open but unequal world, Barcelona and Catalonia must promote, defend, and demonstrate that a vision of the world that combines competitiveness, sustainability, and equity is possible. It is time for renewed activism; it is time for Barcelona ---and Catalonia--- to take a step forward in turbulent times. It is time for inclusive leadership in the face of autocratic and illiberal leaders. If we do so, the defenders of the open world will appreciate and recognize it.
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