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Spanish PM defends deeper ties with China

By Olivier Acuña Barba • Updated: 11 Apr 2025 • 9:23 • 1 minute read

Pedro Sanchez defends strengthening ties with China.

Pedro Sanchez defends strengthening ties with China. | Wikimedia Commons

Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez argued in favour of deeper bilateral ties with China during his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing this morning.

In response to Washington’s criticism of him cosying up to China, Sanchez said Spain is profoundly loyal to Europe. “We see China as a European Union partner and we are in favour of bilateral EU-China ties marked by dialogue, reciprocity and harmony,” he added.

“Spain will always work in favour of working toward solid and well-balanced relations between China and the EU,” Sanchez said. “A strong Europe contributes to global stability and prosperity.” Sanchez’s two-day visit to China comes against a backdrop of critical geopolitical tensions caused by Donald Trump’s tariff war. It also follows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s criticism that deepening ties with China is like “cutting your own throat.”

Although the US president declared a 90-day tariff pause on dozens of nations hours after activating them, he decided to hike duties on China to 125 per cent from 85 per cent.

“The more turbulent and changing the international situation becomes, the more important it will be to establish and develop good, stable relations,” Xi told Sanchez.

Both leaders spoke of bilateral cooperation in areas including agriculture, food products, tourism, and science, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sanchez speaks with Chinese business leaders

Spanish news outlet ABC said Sanchez attempted to raise Spain’s global clout, but China did not bite, labelling the visit as a high-risk, low-reward diplomatic trip.

During meetings with key Chinese leaders, the Spanish PM promoted his country’s infrastructure and green energy sectors and Spain as a gateway to Latin America.

The visit to Beijing comes when bilateral China-Spain levels continue to rise, albeit a marked imbalance favouring the Asian giant.

Last year, Spain’s imports from China surpassed €45 billion. Spanish exports were a mere €7.4 billion, according to Spanish Ministry of Economy statistics, which places the Asian country as Spain’s fourth-largest trading partner.

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Olivier Acuña Barba

Olivier is a veteran journalist with over 40 years of experience writing in both English and Spanish. His career has covered a wide spectrum of topics—including organised crime, politics, business, entertainment, and international affairs—with work published by major outlets such as The Guardian, ITV News, and the Associated Press. At Euro Weekly News, Olivier brings depth and insight to stories that inform and engage international readers, drawing on decades of frontline reporting and interviews with world leaders, ministers, and renowned cultural figures.

Comments

    • Mark Faloone

      12 April 2025 • 09:18

      Sanchez can always be relied on to support the wrong side in any dispute. He is a typical leftie in that way. USA vs China? He supports the side that doesn’t believe in democracy. Israel vs Hamas? The same, supporting the terrorists. I look forward to democracy having the last word at the next General Election.

      • CCW60

        12 April 2025 • 14:05

        Agreed

    • Ordinary Joe

      12 April 2025 • 12:51

      As many commentators have pointed out succinctly America has become an unreliable ally under President Trump’s direction.
      Tariffs have been introduced by violating the Constitution.
      Trade Agreements signed by the President, during his previous Term have been unilaterally abrogated, without the permission of Congress.
      The territorial integrity of Allies have been threatened in Greenland and Panama.
      All perhaps presently stalled when Japan and China began to sell off their enormous holdings of Federal Debt!
      The only countries that President Trump excepted from his trade warfare are Russia, Belarus and North Korea !!!
      Is it any wonder that old friends and old allies are looking for New Friends and New Trade Partners.

      Present Sanchez and other World Blocs are simply realigning to the New Politics of this New Crazy Era.

    • Paul

      12 April 2025 • 16:01

      I remember 20 years ago when it was worth taking a punt on their low cost shoddy offerings that invariably rarely lasted more than five minutes. Now their shoddy offerings are not so low cost and still rarely last longer than five minutes! Utter junk, and I don’t mean their small boats!

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