China / European Union Ties

12 September 2024

On 9 September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to play a "constructive role" in improving relations between Beijing and the European Union (EU).

 

Prior to meeting Xi, Sanchez said Spain would work to resolve the trade dispute surrounding Electric Vehicles with the EU poised to impose tariffs of up to 36.3% on EV’s sourced from China. In response, China announced a retaliatory anti-dumping probe into European pork imports.

 

Sanchez indicated that he hoped the EU could avoid a trade war with China on China manufactured EV’s.

 

During their meeting Xi was keen to highlight the commercial bonds between China and Spain in the fields of AI, digital initiatives, emerging energy sources and high-tech.

 

A Chinese readout indicated that Xi was willing to work with Brussels to enhance a China-EU relationship where the two economies while preserving their independence, collectively bring benefits to the global economy.

 

"It is hoped Spain will continue to play a constructive role in this regard," Xi added. Sanchez responded "Spain wants to work constructively so that relations between the two are closer, richer and more balanced."

 

"The meeting went extremely well," a source said, adding that both reiterated their stance on current disputes while actively pursuing an agreed position going forward.

 

"We want to build bridges together to defend a trade order that's fair," Sanchez told China's second-ranking official, Premier Li Qiang, before meeting Xi.

 

It’s hoped the rhetoric surrounding the meeting will be the impetus for improved trade relations between China and the EU.