Spanish Prime Minister Visits China Amid Trade Uncertainty
Other major economies are also looking to strengthen their ties with China, following in the footsteps of the UK, Canada, and Germany.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, embarks on a three-day visit to China to enhance commercial relations with the world’s second-largest economy, at a time when relations between Madrid and Washington are strained. This marks Sánchez’s fourth visit to China in four years, with the socialist leader aiming to position Spain as a mediator between Beijing and the European Union and its 27 member states.
This visit comes amid strained relations with Washington and President Donald Trump’s administration, causing concerns among Europeans regarding tariffs and opaque foreign policy.
Other major economies like the UK, Canada, and Germany have recently sent leaders or envoys to Beijing, with Donald Trump expected to visit in May.
A Better Access to the Chinese Market
Last month, the American President threatened to end commercial exchanges with Spain when Madrid refused the use of its military bases for US strikes against Iran, an economic partner of Beijing.
One of the main objectives of the trip for Madrid is to secure better access to the Chinese market, particularly for agricultural and industrial products, and to explore common contracts in the technology sector, according to Spanish government sources cited by AFP.
In addition, Pedro Sánchez is expected to attract new investors to the Eurozone’s fourth-largest economy and access key Chinese raw materials during his visit.
A €42.3 Billion Trade Deficit with China
On Monday, he is set to visit the headquarters of the Chinese tech giant Xiaomi and attend an exhibition at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. On Tuesday, he will meet with top Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang, before holding a press conference.
Chinese exports to Spain significantly exceed Spanish exports to the Asian country. Last year, Spain, with around 50 million inhabitants, recorded a €42.3 billion trade deficit with China, a nation of over 1.4 billion inhabitants. The government highlights a 6.8% increase in Spanish exports to China in 2025, attributing this growth to strong ties with Beijing.
During Pedro Sánchez’s visit to China in April 2025, Beijing agreed to expand access to its market for various Spanish products, including pork and cherries.
