Chinese ruler Xi Jinping has called for the European Union (EU) and Beijing to collaborate in opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration as it engages in a global trade war.
“China and the EU must fulfill their international responsibilities, jointly safeguard the trend of economic globalization and a fair international trade environment, and jointly resist unilateral and intimidating practices,” Xi stated during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the Chinese capital.
This call for unity comes as Washington and Beijing continue their escalating tit-for-tat tariff war, which has seen China raise levies on American imports to a staggering 125 percent in retaliation for U.S. tariffs that have continued to grow.
While Trump has introduced a temporary pause in imposing severe tariffs on other global partners, including the EU, China is actively seeking allies to counter the significant trade pressure it faces from the White House.
In response, Sánchez echoed Xi’s appeal for closer ties between the EU and China, remarking that the world is currently facing “extraordinary challenges.”
He emphasized the need for increased dialogue, cooperation, and strengthening relations with different countries and regional blocs, indirectly referencing Trump’s global trade war.
“China is a fundamental partner for us when it comes to facing the world’s greatest challenges,” Sánchez added.
He highlighted pressing issues such as climate change, global development, and the fight against inequality as key areas of cooperation.
Sánchez’s visit to Beijing has drawn attention and concern in Washington, where U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent compared Madrid’s attempts to establish closer trade relations with China to “cutting one’s own throat.”
Despite the criticism, Sánchez defended Spain’s foreign policy, stating that it does not aim to go against anyone and that Spain is committed to playing an “active” role in fostering mutually beneficial transatlantic relations.
However, his frequent calls for “fair play in international commerce” seem to be a critique of Trump’s recent punitive trade measures.
Sánchez’s trip to Beijing showcases the divisions within the EU regarding the appropriate reaction to Trump’s aggressive tariff strategies.
While some EU leaders advocate for distancing from the U.S. and forging closer ties with alternate global partners, others believe that the bloc should maintain a close relationship with Washington.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who emphasizes the importance of adopting a “pragmatic, constructive, and open approach” towards the White House, is scheduled for a visit to the Oval Office next week, vying to establish herself as a potential “Trump whisperer.”
Before his trip to China, Sánchez mentioned that he discussed the matter with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
Reportedly, EU leaders are planning a summit meeting with Xi in China in July.
The previous summit occurred in Beijing in 2023, and protocol would typically entail the next meeting being held in Brussels.
The EU’s willingness to return to China for this summit reflects a desire among European leaders to strengthen ties with Xi, especially as the gathering coincides with the 50th anniversary of EU-China relations.
In Beijing, Xi emphasized the growing importance of close relations with Spain, particularly in light of the increasingly turbulent and volatile international landscape.
Sánchez noted that he and Xi engaged in discussions about global cooperation and the EU’s commitment to achieving a “just peace” in Ukraine.
The Beijing stop marks the final leg of Sánchez’s Asian tour, which also included a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
During this trip, agreements were secured for agricultural cooperation with Vietnam and lucrative deals for exporting pork and cherries to China.
image source from：https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-pedro-sanchez-champions-china-key-eu-partner-amid-donald-trump-trade-war/
