Spanish PM: China-Europe Trade Imbalance 'Unsustainable'
During his visit to China, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez stated that the trade imbalance between China and Europe is 'unsustainable' and urged Beijing to further open its market to European products.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 15:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Li Ya-wen, Shanghai, 13th) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is currently visiting China, his fourth visit in four years. He stated this morning at Tsinghua University in Beijing that the China-Europe trade imbalance is 'unsustainable' and called on Beijing to further open its market to European imported goods.
According to AFP and Reuters on the 13th, Sanchez delivered a speech at Tsinghua University this morning, calling on Beijing to further open its market to European imported goods.
He said, "We need China... to open up further, to avoid Europe becoming self-contained," and "help us correct the current trade deficit... This is an unbalanced deficit, which increased by another 18% just last year, and in the mid-to-long term, for our societies, this is unsustainable."
Sanchez mentioned that Spain's trade deficit with China accounts for 74% of Spain's total trade deficit. Cooperation is crucial for building a "balanced, globalized economy that brings shared prosperity."
Last year, Spain had a trade deficit of 42.3 billion euros (about NT$1.5714 trillion) with China. Spain is seeking to increase agricultural and manufacturing exports to offset large imports from China. Sanchez's visit to China is expected to help narrow the trade deficit.
Sanchez also called on Beijing to play a greater role in a multipolar order. He said that China should assume a more important role in issues such as climate change, security, defense, and fighting inequality; as the United States withdraws its leadership in multiple areas, Europe must also redouble its efforts.
Sanchez stated that China can still do more in responding to climate change, promoting global health, regulating the development of responsible artificial intelligence, and nuclear weapons control. "For example, as is currently being done, promote all parties to abide by international law, and promote the cessation of conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Gaza and the West Bank, and Ukraine."
Sanchez began his five-day visit to China on the 11th and is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow. Outside evaluations suggest that the two sides will focus on economic and trade issues such as renewable energy cooperation, increasing Chinese investment in Spain, and expanding Spanish agricultural exports to China. It is also speculated that the situation in the Middle East is one of the discussion topics.
Media comments indicate that Sanchez is trying to position Spain as a bridge between Beijing and the EU, at a time when the EU's relationship with the US shows signs of tension. Sanchez is expected to consolidate Spain's relationship with Beijing through this visit; Beijing will also value Spain's autonomy and stance against the US. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150413
(Central News Agency reporter Li Ya-wen, Shanghai, 13th) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is currently visiting China, his fourth visit in four years. He stated this morning at Tsinghua University in Beijing that the China-Europe trade imbalance is 'unsustainable' and called on Beijing to further open its market to European imported goods.
According to AFP and Reuters on the 13th, Sanchez delivered a speech at Tsinghua University this morning, calling on Beijing to further open its market to European imported goods.
He said, "We need China... to open up further, to avoid Europe becoming self-contained," and "help us correct the current trade deficit... This is an unbalanced deficit, which increased by another 18% just last year, and in the mid-to-long term, for our societies, this is unsustainable."
Sanchez mentioned that Spain's trade deficit with China accounts for 74% of Spain's total trade deficit. Cooperation is crucial for building a "balanced, globalized economy that brings shared prosperity."
Last year, Spain had a trade deficit of 42.3 billion euros (about NT$1.5714 trillion) with China. Spain is seeking to increase agricultural and manufacturing exports to offset large imports from China. Sanchez's visit to China is expected to help narrow the trade deficit.
Sanchez also called on Beijing to play a greater role in a multipolar order. He said that China should assume a more important role in issues such as climate change, security, defense, and fighting inequality; as the United States withdraws its leadership in multiple areas, Europe must also redouble its efforts.
Sanchez stated that China can still do more in responding to climate change, promoting global health, regulating the development of responsible artificial intelligence, and nuclear weapons control. "For example, as is currently being done, promote all parties to abide by international law, and promote the cessation of conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Gaza and the West Bank, and Ukraine."
Sanchez began his five-day visit to China on the 11th and is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow. Outside evaluations suggest that the two sides will focus on economic and trade issues such as renewable energy cooperation, increasing Chinese investment in Spain, and expanding Spanish agricultural exports to China. It is also speculated that the situation in the Middle East is one of the discussion topics.
Media comments indicate that Sanchez is trying to position Spain as a bridge between Beijing and the EU, at a time when the EU's relationship with the US shows signs of tension. Sanchez is expected to consolidate Spain's relationship with Beijing through this visit; Beijing will also value Spain's autonomy and stance against the US. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150413