Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on April 14, 2026, met with Chinese business leaders in Beijing during the second day of his state visit, emphasizing the need to elevate economic cooperation between Spain and China. Sánchez stated that the visit has raised political dialogue with China to its highest level in 53 years, underscoring Spain's commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.
The meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs follows Sánchez's arrival in Beijing on April 13, where he delivered a speech at Tsinghua University calling for renewed EU-China cooperation. During that address, he noted that 'China and Europe prospered together' in the past and expressed confidence they could do so again. Earlier on April 13, Sánchez also visited Xiaomi's campus and met with founder Lei Jun, signaling interest in technology partnerships.
Sánchez's outreach to Chinese business leaders comes amid ongoing EU-China trade tensions, including EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and export controls on sensitive technologies. The Spanish leader's emphasis on economic partnership contrasts with the European External Action Service's April 13 statement calling on China to respect the rights of released lawyer Yu Wensheng, highlighting the EU's dual approach of engagement and human rights advocacy.
The visit reflects Spain's balancing act between promoting economic cooperation and aligning with EU strategic autonomy goals. While Sánchez's pro-business stance may boost Spanish exports and attract Chinese investment, it risks criticism from those prioritizing human rights or de-risking from China. The outcomes of the visit could influence broader EU policy towards China, as Spain seeks to position itself as a bridge between European and Chinese interests.
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