Beijing (TDI): Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, met the Chinese President Xi Jinping while he was visiting Vietnam and China. Both leaders discussed global matters and reviewed their bilateral partnership.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of China and Spain’s comprehensive strategic partnership and the Spanish PM’s visit to China took place in that backdrop.
About the meeting between the two leaders, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning said that President Xi told his Spanish counterpart that tariffs do not benefit anyone.
When meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez @sanchezcastejon, President Xi Jinping stressed that there are no winners in tariff wars. Going against the world will only lead to self-isolation.
China’s development over the past seven decades is a result of…
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) April 11, 2025
President Xi also stressed that China and Europe should now take more responsibility for international economic and geopolitical realities, and should not submit to any bullying or unilateral decisions.
Speaking of the tariffs imposed by President Trump on almost all of his trading partners, Xi observed that such moves will push US into isolation.
“Going against the world will only lead to self-isolation.” He also noted that China and the EU should defend their legitimate rights and interests as per international fairness, justice, international rules and order.
He also expressed confidence that China will not flinch under any circumstances because it has established itself through self-reliance.
Spanish Premier, reflecting on his Vietnam and China visits, said that these trips have fulfilled the purpose he was eyeing; which is the expansion of Spain’s footprint in Asia and bringing Chinese and Spanish people closer.
El objetivo de la gira por Vietnam y China que terminamos hoy en Pekín se ha cumplido: reforzar la presencia de España en Asia.
Con este viaje hemos dado un paso muy importante en un momento complejo en el que toca expandir horizontes. pic.twitter.com/YE6kxw6g60
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 11, 2025
He called for a more balanced relationship between China and the European Union. “Spain and the European Union defend the same principals, the same values and the same interests,” he said.
Since Trump waged trade wars on its European allies, European countries have started looking for non-traditional avenues that align with the European values of economic integration.
The EU is also increasingly looking for self-reliance in defense with plans to support NATO on its own without having to rely on US’s funding.
This has created some level of convergence of interests between China and the European countries.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
