Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will visit Beijing and Shanghai from September 7 to 12, where he is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a source from the Spanish government. A deputy trade minister will accompany Sanchez on this significant diplomatic trip.
Tensions Over EU-China Trade Dispute
The visit comes at a critical time as tensions rise between China and the European Union (EU) over a recent trade dispute. EU regulators have announced provisional duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, prompting swift retaliation from China. In response, China has launched anti-dumping investigations into several European products, including brandy, dairy, and pork.
Spain’s Key Role in the Dispute
Spain, the EU’s largest pork exporter, could be significantly impacted by these developments. In 2023, Spain supplied 22% of China’s imported pork, valued at €1.2 billion (£1.04 billion). This makes Spain particularly vulnerable to the potential fallout from China’s anti-dumping probe, as it stands to lose more than any other EU member.
China’s Efforts to Sway EU Members
As the situation escalates, China has been actively lobbying the EU’s 27 member states to reject the European Commission’s proposal. This proposal includes the adoption of additional duties of up to 36.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles, with a vote scheduled for October.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
