Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez Meets Xi Jinping Amid EU-China Trade Tensions

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing amidst trade tensions over electric vehicles. Sánchez will also attend various business events and inaugurate a Cervantes Institute in Shanghai. The visit underscores ongoing economic and diplomatic engagements between Spain and China.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other key officials on Monday during his second visit to China within a year-and-a-half, amid trade tensions over electric vehicles.

The socialist leader will attend a business forum for Spanish and Chinese companies in Beijing and later travel to Shanghai to partake in additional business events and launch a Cervantes Institute, aimed at promoting Spanish language and culture.

Before his meeting and dinner with Xi, Sánchez will meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, the head of the ceremonial legislature. Sánchez arrived late Sunday and will depart on Wednesday.

Spain was among EU members supporting a 36.7% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, prompting China to investigate EU pork imports. Despite tensions, Spain welcomes Chinese carmaker Chery's plans to open an electric vehicle plant in Barcelona.

(With inputs from agencies.)