Two film producers, an American and a Spaniard, go on trial in Barcelona on Tuesday in a court case that could have serious consequences for commercial relations between Spain and the US.

John Rosalini, president of the Emmy award-winning Rosalini Film Productions of Chicago, and Jordi Albá of Think Big Productions of Barcelona have been charged with extortion in a case brought by the directors of the Barcelona Forum – a cultural entity owned by the city council of Barcelona, the regional government of Catalonia and the Spanish central government.