The White House's Spain Problem: Sánchez Strengthens Ties with Beijing and Threatens U.S. Interests in the Euro-Atlantic

From April 11 to 15, 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez paid an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, where he held talks with Xi Jinping. This marked Sánchez’s fourth visit to China while in office—an unprecedented pattern for a leader of a country that is both an EU and NATO member.

Following the negotiations, Spain and China signed 19 bilateral agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in economic, trade, advanced technology, and infrastructure sectors. 

Sánchez separately emphasized Spain’s intention to attract greater Chinese investment, supported by an expanding contractual framework currently under development.