King Felipe VI of Spain will embark on a historic four-day state visit to China beginning Tuesday, marking the first such visit by a Spanish monarch in nearly two decades. This high-level engagement signifies Madrid’s strategic pivot to strengthen political and commercial ties with Beijing, particularly as other European nations exercise caution and relations cool between the United States and some of its key allies. The trip, timed to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of elevated bilateral relations, aims to unlock greater commercial opportunities and rebalance Spain’s significant trade deficit with the Asian economic powerhouse.
The royal delegation, which includes Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo alongside a sizeable group of Spanish business leaders, will commence the visit in Chengdu before proceeding to Beijing. There, King Felipe VI is scheduled to hold crucial meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji on Wednesday. This comprehensive approach, involving both diplomatic and economic leadership, underscores Spain’s commitment to forging tangible economic gains from this renewed diplomatic warmth.
Madrid Intensifies Engagement with Beijing
Spain has adopted an assertive and consistent strategy toward China in recent years, demonstrating a clear focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has visited the country three times over the past three years, seeking to mitigate a significant trade imbalance heavily favoring Beijing. Data from Spain’s state trade agency, ICEX, highlights the disparity: in 2024, Spain imported approximately €45 billion in Chinese goods while exporting just €7.5 billion.
Beijing has warmly reciprocated Madrid’s proactive outreach. In December, Spain hosted the first international edition of the Imperial Springs International Forum, often considered a Chinese counterpart to gatherings like Davos. Analysts interpreted this choice of venue as a strong indication of China’s growing confidence in Spain as a pivotal European partner, even amidst broader European Union concerns regarding trade friction, Beijing’s alignment with Russia, and its dominance in critical minerals supply chains.
Trade Gains Signal Successful Diplomacy
The diplomatic maneuvering is already yielding measurable economic benefits, particularly within the agri-food sector. Spanish pork producers, a cornerstone of the nation’s exports, report strengthened market access and surging sales. ICEX data reveals that Spanish pork exports to China increased by 8% year-on-year to €700 million between January and July, contrasting sharply with declining shipments from competitors like Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States. During that period, Spain accounted for roughly half of the 682,000 tonnes of pork imported by China, according to the meat industry association Anice. Industry leaders are optimistic that the King’s state visit will help safeguard and expand these commercial interests.
The upswing extends beyond agricultural trade into strategic industrial sectors. Major Chinese corporations, including electric vehicle battery giant CATL, clean energy firm Envision, and automaker Chery, are making substantial investments in Spain’s burgeoning electric vehicle and battery ecosystem. Furthermore, Envision and Hygreen have committed to building electrolyser manufacturing facilities, while three key Chinese energy firms have pledged investment in a potash project located in Spain’s northeast, hinting at broader, long-term industrial cooperation.
This intensification of bilateral ties builds upon groundwork laid during President Xi’s November 2018 visit to Spain. As global geopolitical dynamics evolve—where Washington faces domestic uncertainties and many European capitals adopt a cautious stance—Madrid’s calculated high-level engagement seeks to position Spain favorably, converting diplomatic affinity into robust, lasting economic advantages.