Spanish PM Sánchez Seeks Stronger Economic Ties in Fourth Visit to China

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in China this week for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening political and commercial ties with the world’s second-largest economy. The trip marks his fourth visit to China in just over three years, highlighting Spain’s strategic interest in deepening its relationship with Beijing.

The visit comes at a politically sensitive moment, with Spain’s relationship with the United States under strain due to Sánchez’s vocal criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the recent conflict with Iran. Spain has taken a strong stance by declaring its airspace closed to U.S. planes being used in Iran and refusing the U.S. access to jointly operated military bases in southern Spain.

“Given the increased frictions with the U.S. administration, these annual meetings have taken on an increased importance,” said Eric Sigmon, a Madrid-based political analyst and former U.S. national security adviser, regarding Sánchez’s latest trip to China.

Speaking at Beijing’s Tsinghua University on Monday, Sánchez urged China to take a more active role in global affairs. “China can do more. For example, by demanding that international law be respected and that the conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Gaza and the West Bank and Ukraine cease,” he said.

The Spanish leader is scheduled to hold high-level meetings on Tuesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, the third-ranking leader of China’s ruling Communist Party.

Trade Imbalance Remains a Challenge

A key motivation for Spain’s engagement with China is to address the significant trade imbalance between the two countries. Despite Spain’s efforts to reposition trade relations, China still accounts for approximately 74% of Spain’s overall trade gap.

“This repeated annual pilgrimage by Sánchez — his fourth in four (calendar) years — highlights an increasingly one-sided and unbalanced relationship,” noted Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at French investment bank Natixis.

From China’s perspective, Spain represents a relatively conciliatory European partner that advocates for dialogue rather than tougher EU measures. Sánchez acknowledged this dynamic during his speech in Beijing, saying that while the EU has made efforts to balance trade, China needs to reciprocate.

“We need China to do the same. To open up so that Europe doesn’t have to close itself off,” he emphasized.

Renewable Energy and Raw Materials

Spain, which generates more than half of its electricity from renewable sources, has particular interest in securing Chinese critical raw materials, solar panels, and green technologies. Like many European nations transitioning away from fossil fuels, Spain sees China as an essential partner in its environmental initiatives.

During his visit, Sánchez met with representatives from Chinese technology companies, including Xiaomi founder Lei Jun, as Spain aims to attract more Chinese investment while boosting its exports to the Asian giant.

Spain’s Broader Global Strategy

As a mid-sized power on the world stage, Spain under Sánchez has pursued a strategy of diversifying its political relations with major global powers, including China and increasingly India, alongside its traditional alliance with the United States.

This policy was further demonstrated last November when Spain’s King Felipe VI made his first official visit to China in 18 years, underscoring the nation’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Sánchez’s speech on Monday highlighted his vision for China-EU cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, public health, responsible artificial intelligence development, and nuclear weapons control. He pointedly noted these areas of potential collaboration, “especially now that the U.S. has decided to withdraw from many of these fronts.”

The visit continues through April 15, with observers watching closely to see if concrete agreements emerge that might help balance the trade relationship or strengthen political alignment on key international issues. For Spain, navigating these complex geopolitical waters while maintaining relationships with both East and West remains a delicate diplomatic challenge.