The Agreement – the first of these characteristics signed between the parties – will protect one hundred European geographical indications against imitations and name usurpation in the Chinese market.
For the Secretary of State for Commerce, Xiana Méndez, "the Agreement reached guarantees both the complete and effective protection of the Spanish indications included, as well as their access to the Chinese market in fair and equitable conditions; likewise, it will position the Spanish products in the Chinese market high quality".
Méndez added that "it is a great opportunity to continue and consolidate the market diversification strategy for Spanish products outside the European Union, especially in the agri-food sector."
Of the hundred protected indications, twelve are Spanish: eight wines (Rioja, Cava, Catalonia, La Mancha, Valdepeñas, Jerez, Navarra and Valencia), two oils (Priego de Córdoba and Sierra Mágina), one cheese (Manchego Cheese) and one spirit drink (Brandy de Jerez).
This is a strategic agreement in a key area for the competitiveness of Spanish exports of agri-food products and beverages, which implies recognition of the differentiated quality of Spanish products. Spanish agri-food exports to China amounted to 1,119 million euros in 2018. In the last five years they have increased by 113.7%.
The agreement recognizes the community model for the protection of geographical indications and reflects the openness and adherence of both parties to international standards as the basis for trade relations.
After the conclusion of the negotiations, the agreement will be submitted for approval by the European Parliament and the Council, so its entry into force could take place in the second half of 2020.
Four years after that entry into force, it will be extended to include one hundred seventy-five names of additional indications of both parties. Once the registration procedure is finished. In this second list, the names of Spanish geographical indications amount to thirty-six, of which fifteen are from wines, such as Penedés or Rias Baixas, nine are from oils, such as Baena, five are from meat products, such as Guijuelo or Jamón de Teruel, and two are of nougat, in addition to Cîtrics Valencians, pacharán navarro, Mahón-Menorca cheese, Saffron from La Mancha and Vinagre de Jerez.