Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez Calls for Fair Trade Order in China Amid Trade Tensions
In a bid to strengthen economic ties with China, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the country on Monday, where he called for a "fair trade order" and expressed his commitment to promoting balanced relations between the two nations. Despite mounting trade tensions between the European Union and China, Sanchez stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing disagreements.
Sanchez met with local counterpart Premier Li Qiang at Beijing’s ornate Great Hall of the People, where he emphasized Spain’s desire to deepen its economic and trade relations with China. "We want to build bridges to defend together a fair trade order, which allows our economies to grow and benefits our industries and citizens," he said in a post on his account on X.
Sanchez’s trip will also take him to Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he will meet with local officials, businesses, and inaugurated a new Cervantes Institute cultural centre. The Spanish premier hailed the strong ties between China and Spain, stating that even when their positions do not fully coincide, they maintain a constructive willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation.
In a video shared on social media, Sanchez expressed his commitment to developing a positive agenda and seeking consensual solutions that benefit all parties. He also highlighted his country’s objective of fostering a balanced relationship, based on respect and reciprocity that benefits both nations.
Sanchez’s visit to China comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the European Union and China. In June, Beijing launched an anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the EU in response to an application submitted by a local trade grouping on behalf of domestic producers. The EU, in turn, has imposed duties of up to 36% on electric vehicles imported from China.
Despite the backdrop of trade tensions, Sanchez’s visit is aimed at boosting ties with the Chinese government and deepening trade and investment relations between the two countries. With the Iberian nation being the EU’s largest exporter of pork products to China, the trip may yield significant economic benefits for Spain.
In related news, Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has taken refuge in Spain, is expected to be discussed during Sanchez’s meeting with Xi Jinping and top lawmakers later in the afternoon. Sanchez has described Urrutia as "a hero who Spain will not abandon," highlighting the close ties between Spain and the embattled opposition figure.
Overall, Sanchez’s visit to China is expected to pave the way for more significant economic cooperation and bilateral relations between the two nations, despite ongoing trade tensions and regional complexities.
