The trip, which will last through the end of the week, began in Hanoi, where Sánchez is meeting with the Communist Party leadership of Vietnam. On Friday, he will travel to Beijing — marking his third visit to China in as many years — as Spain seeks to position itself as a mediator between China and the European Union.
The Spanish government hopes to use this trip to attract new Chinese investments and ease tensions related to China’s ongoing anti-dumping investigation into Spanish pork exports. Spain is one of the largest pork suppliers to China, and any trade restrictions could deal a serious blow to the sector.
“Sánchez will try to avoid retaliation from China against Spain’s pork, wine, and olive oil sectors,” said Julio Ceballos, a Spanish business consultant based in China. He added that Sánchez faces a delicate balancing act, especially after previously assuring China of Spain’s support in the EU vote on tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles — only to later abstain.
Amid newly announced global tariffs by the U.S., Spain is working to reinforce its geopolitical influence in EU-China relations. According to Ramón Gascón Alonso, Asia-Pacific coordinator for Spain’s Exporters' and Investors' Club, the timing of Sánchez’s trip is politically opportune and may further elevate Spain’s strategic position in the region.
In addition to political meetings, Sánchez is expected to hold talks with top Chinese firms, including lithium producer Tianqi, energy conglomerate China Three Gorges, and automaker SAIC.
Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo called China a "key strategic partner" for both Spain and Europe, stating that Sánchez’s consistent diplomatic approach is now gaining broader acceptance among EU member states.
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