The recent visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to the Chinese mainland, his third in three years, has signaled a strengthening partnership aimed at countering unilateral trade disruptions and fostering global economic stability. The meetings between Sanchez and Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored a shared commitment to defending multilateralism and opposing what they termed "unilateral bullying" in international trade.
Strengthening EU-China Collaboration
Sanchez emphasized Spain’s support for EU-China relations, pledging to deepen cooperation in trade, green energy, and innovation. The two nations signed a series of agreements, including an Action Plan (2025-2028) spanning sectors like science, tourism, and sustainable development. Bilateral trade reached over $50 billion in 2024, with Spanish exports to the Chinese mainland rising by 4.3%.
Film Industry: A Cultural Counterbalance
A standout memorandum of understanding (MOU) on film cooperation aims to broaden cultural exchanges and counter U.S. dominance in global media. With Spain’s film industry growing 30% in 2023 and China’s rising influence via projects like "Ne Zha 2," the collaboration seeks to diversify global film markets while reinforcing soft power.
A Unified Economic Front
President Xi highlighted that "tariff wars have no winners," stressing the need for balance in global trade. As the EU and the Chinese mainland account for over a third of the world’s economic output, their alignment offers a stabilizing force amid geopolitical uncertainty. Spain’s role as a bridge between Brussels and Beijing could reshape regional dynamics, particularly in balancing Washington’s trade policies.
