Spain-China ties mark new era of unity against U.S. bullying

Editor's note: Kamal Uddin Mazumder, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a banker from Bangladesh and also a strategic and global economic affairs analyst. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The significant visit to China by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, which took place from April 10 to 11, has generated a lot of optimism around the world because it not only defied the U.S.'s "cutting own throat" intimidation but also gave China's relationship with Spain and the EU a boost so that they could work together to address shared challenges. 

At a pivotal moment in the present global multilateral economic crossroads, his third trip to China in three years has provided Beijing, Madrid and Brussels with a window of opportunity to cooperate in countering Washington's attempt to disrupt global trade, rebalance the relationship to a new level and take it in a more constructive direction.

During Sanchez's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 11, they clarified that China, Spain and the EU must work together to protect economic globalization and the conducive international trade environment and oppose unilateral bullying and actions. This wake-up call is very significant for fostering global collaboration because it highlights the unique diplomatic opportunity to carry on their joint fight against world uncertainty.

According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, "tariff wars have no winners." Both China and the EU are major economies worldwide and staunch supporters of economic globalization and free trade. The two sides have already formed a strong economic symbiotic relationship with a combined economic output exceeding one-third of the global total. After meeting with Xi Jinping, Sanchez stated, "Spain's foreign policy is not against anyone and is necessary to build a positive relationship between Spain and China. Spain and the European Union defend the same principles, values and interests."

Sanchez underlined Spain's support for EU-China ties, promising to uphold high-level contacts and promote collaboration in various areas, including trade, investment, innovation and green energy. Many favorably saw his strategic meeting with Chinese President as a possible stabilizing factor for the global supply chain and economy and their position in regional and global geopolitics. 

In addition to strategically solidifying Madrid's pragmatic economic collaboration with Beijing in new sectors, his visit has also contributed to the development of positive China-EU ties in the context of the U.S. administration's worldwide trade conflict. In the year of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, for example, the European Commission strongly supported Sanchez's visit, a great move to improve relations further.

Over $50 billion in trade was exchanged between China and Spain, while Spain's exports to China increased by 4.3 percent in 2024. In addition to expanding cooperation in fields like culture, science, technology and education, Spain and China signed several cooperation documents during the visit to facilitate their economies and trade and increase sales of Spanish food, healthcare and cosmetics to China's huge market.

In order to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, specifically in the year that marks its 20th anniversary, both countries adopted an Action Plan (2025-2028) that highlights major strategic areas of cooperation in the sectors ranging from trade, fisheries, science and technology, innovation and green development to culture, education, sports, and tourism. These tangible outcomes will boost trade volume, balance trade and economic ties and act as a catalyst against U.S. trade aggression.

Following China's announcement that it would cut back on U.S. film imports, the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on film cooperation not only adds a new feather to Sino-Spanish relations in the areas of cross-border tourism promotion, individual and cultural exchanges and film consumer spending, but also provides a new platform to fight U.S. trade bullying.

With the Spanish film industry grown by 30 percent in 2023 and China's increasing influence in the global film industry through its international film brand "Ne Zha 2," for example, the collaboration is strategically beneficial as it will help Spanish and Chinese productions reach new audiences and markets and resurrect their place in the global film industry.

Chinese films would enter a new era of worldwide significance in the European market. China demonstrated that it is open and prepared to share market possibilities with partners worldwide. 

The Trump administration failed to acknowledge its trade surplus in the services sector with partners, although defending its so-called reciprocal tariff for trade surplus in the goods sector. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S.-China trade imbalance in services grew by 11.5 times to $26.57 billion from 2001 to 2023. Amidst the decline in Chinese consumers' interest in American films due to U.S. trade bullying, China decided to modestly limit American film imports and enhance international film collaboration since this will significantly aid China in closing the services trade imbalance with the U.S..

A number of significant American film and media businesses have already begun to lose the world's largest film market. The U.S. film industry heavyweights are being warned because the U.S. tariffs negatively impact their core service-related sectors.

Beijing and Madrid both invited their companies to join their most important sectors – from new energy to new quality productive forces – highlighting the significance of their mutual strategic investment in achieving their respective development agendas and overcoming external obstacles.  

Global expectations are strong that both nations would continue to vigorously fulfill their pledges, especially considering the importance of this visit. Along with strengthening bilateral ties, this involvement is expected to promote regional and international stability. The visit paves the way for increased economic cooperation, diplomatic synergy and strategic partnership as Spain and China continue cultivating deeper collaboration.

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