In recent days, the political landscape in Spain has witnessed a significant shift as the Popular Party (PP) has extended an olive branch to the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding responses to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

After months of staunch opposition, the PP has signaled a willingness to collaborate with Sánchez’s progressive administration to formulate a unified national strategy addressing the ongoing trade conflict.

On Thursday, Sánchez and PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo exchanged calls for unity, culminating in a meeting later that day at La Moncloa between Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, his team, and the PP's economic leaders, led by Deputy Secretary Juan Bravo.

After the meeting, Bravo reiterated the party's readiness to engage with the government to create a coordinated response to Trump's tariffs, provided the government maintains open lines of communication.

“If the government keeps this information channel open, we will be there,” Bravo stated, adopting a noticeably softer tone than typically characteristic of the PP. He expressed gratitude to Minister Cuerpo and his team for their engagement with the PP, highlighting a more collaborative approach than the party has previously experienced.

Bravo emphasized that the PP intends to act with a sense of state responsibility regarding this issue, indicating a shift in the party’s stance.

During this meeting, the PP noted that the Spanish response plan presented by Sánchez earlier that day was still in its early stages but expressed readiness to contribute proposals and negotiate measures.

Bravo stressed the importance of dialogue between the government and regional presidents, particularly as regional ministers are set to convene at a sectoral trade conference organized by the government.

Feijóo announced a gathering scheduled for Monday at the PP headquarters in Madrid, inviting associations and representatives from sectors most affected by the new U.S. tariff policies.

This meeting will also include regional government officials from the PP to coordinate strategies in response to the tariffs.

Despite these overtures towards unity, deep-seated mistrust remains between the government and the PP. Government officials, while open to discussions with the PP, have pointed out that the party must choose its alliances carefully.

The government insists that the PP cannot simultaneously maintain partnerships with Vox in regional governments, a party that consistently supports Trump’s policies and criticizes the tariffs.

Sánchez's recent address did not mirror previous criticisms of the PP, instead urging a collective approach as Trump's tariff attacks transcend political ideologies.

However, he included ideological criticisms directed at the far-right populism represented by Vox, which aligns itself with Trump's values.

In a strategic communication move, Minister Cuerpo is expected to engage with party spokespeople while omitting Vox from these discussions.

Feijóo's call for a national strategy is met with pressure from the harder factions of his party and Vox, both of which oppose collaboration with the PSOE.

This reality complicates his position, evidenced by the contrasting statements made by PP figures, such as Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who publicly withdrew from potential collaboration while criticizing Sánchez.

Additionally, Feijóo accused Vox of being 'unpatriotic' for their support of Trump, despite having previously defended coalitions with the far-right party to pass budgets.

The history of confrontational relations between the PP and the Sánchez government over various state issues, including military spending increases, may temper expectations for lasting cooperation.

Nevertheless, the current atmosphere reflects a novel and somewhat more conciliatory approach compared to previous interactions.