Spain’s Sanchez to Visit China Next Month Amid Beijing-EU Trade Dispute

MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to visit China next month, amidst tensions surrounding Beijing’s anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the European Union.

Sanchez’s trip, scheduled for September 7-12, will include visits to both Beijing and Shanghai, where he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He will be accompanied by a deputy trade minister during this visit.

The trade relations between China and the European Union have soured recently, particularly after EU officials announced provisional tariffs on electric vehicles produced in China. In response, China initiated anti-dumping inquiries into several EU products, including brandy, dairy, and pork.

Spain holds a significant position in this context, being the largest exporter of pork in Europe. In 2023, Spain accounted for 22% of China’s pork imports, with a total value of 1.2 billion euros. This situation places Spain at risk of substantial economic losses due to the ongoing investigation.

Furthermore, China has been reaching out to the EU’s 27 member states, urging them to oppose the European Commission’s proposal for additional tariffs of up to 36.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles, a matter to be voted on in October.