According to Bloomberg's report on September 23, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez stated that the EU should strive to reach an agreement through negotiations to rebalance trade relations with China, rather than being dragged into a destructive dispute.
Sanchez said in an interview with Bloomberg TV: "We need to cooperate with China because we face common challenges. We also need to manage our differences, especially regarding the trade deficit issue."
As the EU grows increasingly concerned about Chinese imports threatening key industries such as automobiles, chemicals, and advanced machinery, Sánchez stands out among EU leaders. Officials in Berlin, Paris, and Brussels are increasingly convinced that the EU needs new measures to protect its economy. However, this 54-year-old Spanish leader has been working hard to strengthen ties between Spain and Beijing.
In April this year, Sanchez made his last visit to Beijing, which was his fourth visit to China in over three years. During the visit, he finalized an investment agreement.
In recent years, China's investments in Spain have increased, especially in the fields of automotive, batteries, renewable energy, and logistics.
However, in other regions of the EU, governments are re-evaluating their strategic relations with Beijing. EU leaders are scheduled to hold a summit in October, where new measures will be considered to restrict imports from China and protect domestic businesses and workers.
Sanchez said on Wednesday at Bloomberg's global headquarters in New York: "This will be a hot topic. The trade deficit, especially that of the European Union, is widening. It was the case last year, and it is the same this year."
Sanchez insisted that even if the EU is renegotiating its relations with China and the United States under President Trump, it should continue to adhere to its commitment of open trade.
Sanchez cited recent trade negotiations between the EU and Australia, India, and the Southern Common Market member countries as evidence of the resilience of this economic model.
He said, "One of the major advantages of the European Union is that we are willing to open up our economies and build bridges with other countries."
However, Sánchez admitted that the EU’s ‘huge’ trade deficit with China is becoming an increasingly serious issue. According to data from the International Monetary Fund, the EU’s trade deficit with China in 2025 would be $377 billion, while Spain’s trade deficit with China would be $41 billion.
He said: "Managing differences and striving for an agreement with China is vital."
China has repeatedly stated that enhancing mutual understanding and deepening cooperation between China and Europe not only benefits both sides but also contributes to the world as a whole. Spain is willing to play a constructive role in resolving economic and trade differences between China and Europe and in building stronger relations between the two regions.
