Spanish PM: Strong ties with China in Europe's interest

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is in China for his fourth visit in the past four years.

Spain presents itself as a bridge between China and the European Union at times when Europe's ties with the United States have been strained.

"I firmly believe it is in Spain’s and Europe’s interests to strengthen ties with China," Sanchez said from Beijing on Tuesday.

China-EU trade imbalance "unsustainable"

The visit focuses on improving economic cooperation with the world’s second‑largest economy. Sanchez described the trade between China and Spain as one with an "excessive" deficit. 

Madrid hopes to narrow a trade gap that has more than doubled in four years, reaching nearly $50 billion in 2025. According to Sanchez, China now accounts for 74% of Spain’s total trade deficit, a figure he called unsustainable for the long term.

Following talks last Thursday, agreements were reached to expand market access for Spanish agricultural products in China and to support the development of Spain’s transport and infrastructure sectors.

Spain is seeking a more balanced, globalized economy that creates shared prosperity,  Sanchez said on a post on X commeting on the agreement. "We must continue moving toward a multipolar order built on respect and pragmatism," he added.

Sanchez welcomes China's role in the Middle East

Spain is particularly eager to strengthen its political and economic ties with Beijing, as the Sanchez government faces tense relations with the US over its stance on the conflict in Iran. The Spanish government has opposed military action in the region, which has contributed to friction with Washington.

Spain's efforts to boost trade with China come after US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut trade with Spain. Trump's threats followed Spain’s refusal to allow the use of its military bases for US strikes against Iran, a key economic partner of Beijing. 

Sanchez also welcomed China's role in seeking to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. 

"The role China can play is important in order to find diplomatic means that end this war and contribute to stability and peace," Sanchez said.  "All nations, especially those which are in dialogue and have not actively taken part in this illegal war, are not only welcome, but are also absolutely necessary," Sanchez added.

China and EU should take on bigger global role

The Spanish premier warned that international law is being repeatedly undermined and called for closer cooperation to promote peace and prosperity. He argued that China should take on a more substantial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, security, defense, and inequality.

Speaking at Beijing’s Tsinghua University on Monday, Sanchez said Europe must also increase its efforts as the United States withdraws from leadership roles on many fronts.

In discussions with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, Sanchez raised the need for reforms to the multilateral global system. "We need to better recognize the multipolar reality of today’s world," he said.

For his part, President Xi warned against a return to the "law of the jungle." He described the global landscape as one in which "chaos abounds" and "international order is crumbling," adding that deeper ties between China and Spain were in the interests of both countries.

Sanchez’s visit comes as many Western governments are seeking to improve relations with Beijing despite ongoing security and trade tensions and questions about human rights, amid growing discomfort with U.S. policies under President Donald Trump.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher