Sanchez's trip comes as the European Union rethinks its global trading relationships in the face of turmoil caused by the US import duties announced last week that have sent world markets into a tailspin.
The Socialist prime minister is on his third visit to China in just over two years.
Spain buys about 45 billion euros ($49.1 billion) of goods every year from China, its fourth-largest trading partner, but sells around 7.4 billion euros' worth.
Sanchez broke with the rest of the EU on his last trip to China in September 2024, urging the bloc to reconsider plans to impose high tariffs on Chinese electric cars and calling for a "fair trade order".
The EU argued that the tariffs were necessary to protect European producers from unfair competition from state-backed Chinese firms.
His visit to China follows a trip to Vietnam, where in Hanoi on Wednesday he and counterpart Pham Minh Chinh signed a joint declaration aiming to elevate ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
China says Xi to visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia next week
Beijing (AFP) April 11, 2025 -
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia next week, Beijing's foreign ministry said Friday, on his first official foreign trip this year.
Xi's tour of Southeast Asia will last from Monday until Friday, a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
His visit to the region comes as Beijing squares off with the United States in an escalating trade war triggered by President Donald Trump.
Many Chinese exports are now facing 145 percent tariffs on arrival in the world's largest economy.
Xi's visit to Vietnam comes on the invitation of President Luong Cuong, Beijing said. He last visited the country in December 2023.
Vietnam has long pursued a "bamboo diplomacy" approach, striving to stay on good terms with both China and the United States.
It shares US concerns about Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea, but it also has close economic ties with China.
Xi's visit to Malaysia will take place from April 15 to 17, the country's government announced this week.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Xi's visit was "part of the government's efforts... to see better trade relations with various countries including China".
He will travel on Thursday to Cambodia, one of China's staunchest allies in Southeast Asia and where Beijing has extended its influence in recent years, before wrapping up the trip on Friday.
Under former leader Hun Sen -- Prime Minister Hun Manet's father -- China poured billions of dollars into infrastructure investments, while Washington's relationship with Phnom Penh deteriorated.
Phnom Penh described it as a "milestone visit which will further cement the traditional relations of friendship built by successive leaders of both countries".
Argentina extends China debt deal despite US pressure
Buenos Aires (AFP) April 10, 2025 -
Argentina extended a multi-billion-dollar currency swap agreement with China Thursday, despite fierce opposition to the deal in Washington.
The cash-strapped South American nation extended the $5 billion accord with Beijing for one more year, securing much-needed foreign reserves.
The deal has become yet another front in a battle between Washington and Beijing for influence in Latin America.
A serial defaulter, Argentina has struggled to get enough foreign currency to pay off international debts while keeping its own currency stable.
Thursday's deal gives Argentina access to more Chinese yuan in return for China gaining pesos -- and influence, as a lender of last resort.
US President Donald Trump's top Latin America envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone recently described the swap agreement as "extortion" and said Washington wanted to see it ended.
The deal extension comes at a sensitive time.
Argentina is close to securing a $20 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
The deal has already been tacitly approved by IMF working groups but will be considered by the board in the coming days.
China insists its own deal helps stabilize the Argentine economy.
"We call on the United States to get its perspective right and make more tangible contributions to the development of Latin American and Caribbean countries, rather than make an effort to drive a wedge," China's foreign ministry said this week.
The Argentina-China deal also comes as the US Treasury announced that Secretary Scott Bessent will visit Argentina on Monday.
The US Treasury is said to be considering its own direct financing line for Argentina.
The Treasury said Bessent would "engage with both government and private sector leaders to affirm the United States' full support for Argentina's bold economic reforms."
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