MEP Carmen Avendaño (Greens/EFA) has raised concerns over Spain's deepening economic ties with China, warning of systemic risks to EU security and economic sovereignty. In a parliamentary question submitted on 28 April 2026, she presses the European Commission to assess whether Madrid's bilateral approach undermines collective EU strategy on de-risking from Beijing.
The question, filed under the European Parliament's written procedure, targets the Commission's awareness of Spain's recent infrastructure and technology deals with Chinese state-owned enterprises. Avendaño asks for a detailed risk assessment of these investments, particularly in critical sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and transport. She also requests clarity on whether the Commission has urged Spain to align with the EU's coordinated de-risking framework, including the proposed monitoring mechanism for outbound investments.
Avendaño's intervention reflects a broader push by the Greens/EFA group for stricter EU oversight of member states' bilateral economic engagements with China. The question does not set specific numerical targets but calls for concrete timelines for the Commission to report on Spain's compliance with EU guidelines. It also urges the Commission to outline measures to prevent technology leakage and reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains.
Policy orientation: The MEP advocates for stronger EU-level coordination to prevent individual member states from pursuing deals that could fragment the bloc's collective stance on China. This implies a preference for centralised oversight over national sovereignty in trade and investment decisions.
Expected follow-up: The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views Spain's actions as a systemic risk requiring corrective measures or as a matter of national discretion within the EU's existing framework. A cautious or evasive reply may indicate reluctance to intervene, while a detailed risk assessment could pave the way for new EU-level restrictions.