Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has returned to Beijing this week, marking his fourth visit to the world’s second-largest economy in just over three years. The trip underscores a concerted effort by Madrid to deepen its political and commercial ties with China at a time of profound global instability and shifting alliances.
The visit unfolds against a volatile geopolitical backdrop. European leaders are currently grappling with the fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, while Sánchez’s own relationship with Washington has reached a point of significant friction. This tension is driven largely by the Spanish leader’s vocal disapproval of the conflict and a series of bold diplomatic maneuvers that have distanced Madrid from the current U.S. Administration.
Speaking on Monday at Tsinghua University, Sánchez called for a more assertive Chinese presence in a multipolar world, arguing that Beijing must leverage its influence to uphold international law. “China can do more,” Sánchez said. “For example, by demanding … That international law be respected and that the conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Gaza and the West Bank and Ukraine cease.”
The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold high-level talks on Tuesday with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, the third-ranking official in the ruling Communist Party.
A Strategic Pivot Amid Washington Frictions
For the Sánchez government, the return to China is not merely about trade, but about strategic survival and diversification. Spain has increasingly positioned itself as a critical, and often lonely, voice in Europe, openly challenging the military actions of the U.S. And Israel in the Middle East.
This diplomatic rift has manifested in tangible security decisions. Madrid recently closed its airspace to U.S. Aircraft involved in operations in Iran and has refused the United States access to jointly operated military bases in southern Spain. These moves have sparked sharp reactions from Washington, framing the current visit to Beijing as a move toward a more independent foreign policy.
The importance of these annual meetings has only grown as ties with the U.S. Have frayed. Eric Sigmon, a Madrid-based political analyst and former U.S. National security adviser, noted that the increased frictions with the U.S. Administration have given these Beijing summits a fresh level of urgency.
The Economic Paradox: Green Energy and Trade Gaps
Spain’s pursuit of deeper ties is heavily driven by the energy transition. As a nation that generates more than half of its electricity from renewable sources, Spain is deeply reliant on Chinese supply chains for solar panels, green technologies, and critical raw materials. This dependency mirrors a wider European trend as the continent attempts to pivot away from fossil fuels.
However, the commercial relationship remains stubbornly unbalanced. Despite being the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy, Spain has struggled to correct a massive trade deficit with China. Currently, China accounts for approximately 74% of Spain’s overall trade gap.
Critics argue that Spain’s conciliatory approach has not yielded the desired results. Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, describes the repeated visits as an “annual pilgrimage” that highlights a one-sided relationship. According to García-Herrero, Beijing views Spain as a “relatively soft, conciliatory partner” that prefers dialogue over the more aggressive trade measures adopted by other EU member states.
Sánchez has countered this by suggesting that the European Union has already made efforts to balance trade, though he admitted the process is slow. “We need China to do the same,” he said during his Beijing address. “To open up so that Europe doesn’t have to close itself off.”
Diversification as Diplomacy
Madrid’s strategy is part of a broader vision to evolve into a midsize power with diversified bilateral ties. Under Sánchez, Spain has sought to strengthen relationships not only with China and the U.S., but increasingly with emerging powers such as India.
This commitment was signaled last November when King Felipe VI made an official visit to China—the first such visit by a Spanish monarch in 18 years. The royal visit served as a diplomatic precursor to the current administration’s efforts to shore up investment and boost exports.
The risks of this diversification have not gone unnoticed in Washington. During a previous visit to Beijing, the Trump administration responded with warnings about the dangers of alienating the U.S. In a stark assessment at the time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Spain that such a pivot could be akin to “cutting your own throat.”
Despite these warnings, Sánchez continues to push for global cooperation on issues where he believes the U.S. Has retreated. He urged China to collaborate with the EU on climate change, global health, and the regulation of nuclear weapons and artificial intelligence. “Especially now that the U.S. Has decided to withdraw from many of these fronts,” Sánchez noted.
The outcome of this visit will likely be measured by whether Beijing offers tangible concessions on trade openness or increased investment in Spain’s industrial sector. The next critical checkpoint will be the joint communique following Tuesday’s meetings with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang, which will outline the specific agreements reached on green technology and diplomatic cooperation.
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