Adedokun Waliyu 
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called China’s trade imbalance with the European Union “unsustainable” as he began a three-day visit to Beijing aimed at strengthening economic ties.
Sanchez’s visit is his fourth to China in four years, as he seeks to position Spain as a bridge between Beijing and the 27-member European Union, whose relations with the United States have shown signs of strain.
Donald Trump’s tariffs and unpredictable foreign policy have raised concerns among Western leaders, many of whom — including officials from Britain, Canada, and Germany — have recently sought closer ties with Beijing.
However, Sanchez stressed that trade between the EU and China remains “imbalanced,” urging Beijing to open its market to European imports.
“We need China… to open up so that Europe does not have to close itself off,” Sanchez said during a visit to Tsinghua University.
He also called on Beijing to help correct the growing trade deficit, describing it as unbalanced and unsustainable in the medium and long term.
Last year, Spain, with a population of around 50 million, recorded a trade deficit of 42.3 billion euros ($49.1 billion) with China, which has a population exceeding 1.4 billion.
According to Sanchez, Spain’s trade deficit with China accounts for 74 percent of the country’s total deficit.
The Spanish leader is also looking to boost trade with China after Trump threatened to cut trade with Spain following its refusal to allow the use of its military bases for US strikes against Iran.
A key goal of the visit is to secure greater market access for Spanish agricultural and industrial goods, as well as explore joint ventures in the technology sector.
Sanchez is also seeking to attract new investment and gain access to China’s critical raw materials.
During his visit, he is scheduled to tour the headquarters of Xiaomi and a technology exhibit at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
He is also expected to meet top Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
During a previous visit in April 2025, China agreed to expand access for several Spanish products, including pork and cherries.
Spain’s exports to China rose by 6.8 percent in 2025, reflecting strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Experts say Spain is seen by China as a relatively friendly and less confrontational partner within Europe, allowing for more independent decision-making.
Spain is also viewed as a strategic gateway to Europe, Latin America, and North Africa, making it an attractive hub for Chinese investment.
Agricultural products are considered to have strong potential in China, given the country’s demand for high-quality food imports, while Spain is a major producer of such goods.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described Spain as an important partner within the EU, noting that the visit offers an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Spain’s close ties with China were also highlighted by a recent state visit from King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years.
Sanchez, one of Europe’s few remaining left-wing leaders, is accompanied on the trip by his wife Begona Gomez and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.
