Spain’s Sánchez to Visit China Amidst US Trade Tensions
BEIJING/MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will travel to China from April 13th to 15th, his office announced Monday, as relations with the United States fray over policy regarding Iran and trade. This marks Sánchez’s fourth visit to Beijing in as many years, signaling a potential shift towards closer economic ties with China.
The trip comes after a period of escalating disagreement with Washington. President Donald Trump recently threatened to sever trade with Spain after Madrid refused requests to utilize its military bases in actions against Iran, a key economic partner for Beijing. Sánchez has repeatedly voiced opposition to military intervention, stating “no to the war.”
China swiftly defended Spain, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning asserting that “trade should not be used as a weapon or an instrument,” responding directly to Trump’s threats of trade cuts and potential embargoes.
The Spanish government is seeking new markets and investors for its economy, the fourth largest in the Eurozone. Sánchez previously stated during a visit to Beijing in April 2025, following a meeting with President Xi Jinping, that trade tensions should not hinder cooperation between the European Union and China. Xi, in turn, urged Spain and the EU to resist “unilateral bullying,” a clear reference to Trump’s trade tariffs.
The timing of Sánchez’s visit also coincides with rising global oil prices, driven by Iran’s disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – a vital route for crude and natural gas supplies. China, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil imports, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the region, with over half of its seaborne crude imports passing through the strait.
Recent polling data indicates a growing preference for China over the US among the Spanish public, suggesting a broader shift in sentiment that may be influencing the government’s diplomatic approach.
