China seeks to forge an alliance with the European Union in a bid to counteract U.S. trade restrictions.
In recent developments, the left-wing Spanish politician, Pedro Sánchez, made his third visit to Beijing in two years, calling for the building of bridges between the European Union (EU) and China. This visit comes as EU representatives, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa, plan a high-level visit to Beijing in July.
During his visit, Sánchez signed further economic cooperation agreements, aiming to strengthen the already substantial trade relationship between Spain and China. In 2024, Germany imported the most goods from China within the EU, with a significant increase in imports of electrotechnical and electronic products. These imports reached a staggering €67.2 billion in the first three months of 2024 alone.
Chinese companies have been drawn to Spain, particularly by its low energy costs, with the intention of making Spain a hub. However, this growing relationship between Europe and China is likely to be met with scrutiny from the US, given its critical view of the exchange.
Finance Minister Scott Bessent has warned against leaning too heavily towards China, stating that it could be detrimental, likening it to cutting one's own throat. The communist government of China, on the other hand, is trying to present itself as a reliable and stable partner amidst international trade turmoil.
As the EU and China continue to explore opportunities for cooperation, it remains to be seen how this relationship will evolve and how it will be perceived by other global powers.
