Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the trade imbalance between China and the European Union as “unsustainable” during the start of his three-day visit to Beijing on Monday. This marks Sanchez’s fourth trip to China in four years, as he seeks to enhance economic relations and position Spain as a strategic link between Beijing and the 27-member EU, especially amid strained transatlantic ties.
In recent months, concerns over US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and erratic foreign policy have prompted Western leaders from Britain, Canada, and Germany to pursue closer connections with China. Meanwhile, Sanchez emphasized the need for China to open its markets to European imports, warning that the current trade deficit is growing and poses medium- and long-term challenges for European societies.
Speaking at Tsinghua University, Sanchez urged Beijing to assist in correcting the trade imbalance, which expanded by 18 percent last year alone. Spain, with a population of about 50 million, recorded a trade deficit of 42.3 billion euros ($49.1 billion) with China, a nation of over 1.4 billion people. Notably, Spain’s deficit accounts for 74 percent of the EU’s total shortfall with China.
The Spanish leader is also motivated to strengthen trade ties following Trump’s recent threat to reduce trade with Spain, triggered by Spain’s refusal to allow US military strikes against Iran from its bases—a country economically significant to Beijing. Spanish officials highlighted that a key objective of Sanchez’s visit is to secure better market access for agricultural and industrial products and to explore technology sector partnerships.
On Monday, Sanchez is scheduled to visit Xiaomi’s headquarters and attend a technology exhibition at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His itinerary includes meetings with top Chinese leaders such as President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday.
During Sanchez’s previous visit in April 2025, China agreed to broaden access for Spanish goods like pork and cherries. Spain’s exports to China rose by 6.8 percent in 2025, reflecting the strengthening economic relationship.
Spain’s appeal to Chinese investors is partly due to its rapidly growing economy and relatively low energy costs, Claudio Feijoo, a China expert at the Technical University of Madrid. He noted that China views Spain as a friendly and less confrontational partner, likely more independent from Washington, enabling more autonomous decision-making.
Feijoo added that Spain serves as a gateway to Europe, Latin America, and North Africa, functioning as a hub for accessing multiple markets simultaneously. Agricultural exports hold significant potential, as China cannot fully meet its food quality and quantity demands domestically, while Spain is a major producer of various food products.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described Spain as an important partner within the EU and said Sanchez’s visit provides an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations. The closeness between the two countries was also highlighted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s state visit to China last November, the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years.
Sanchez, one of Europe’s few remaining left-wing leaders, is accompanied by his wife Begona Gomez and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on this trip.
