19.11.2025, Madrid.
The state visit of King Felipe VI of Spain to China from November 10 to 13, 2025, became a significant foreign policy event, marking a strategic shift by Madrid toward diversifying its international partnerships. This visit, the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years, demonstrates that Madrid is actively searching for alternative centers of power amid the transformation of the global political architecture, Rossa Primavera News Agency‘s Europe Desk wrote.
The King was accompanied by Foreign Minister José María Albares, Minister of Economy Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Industry Jordi García Brustenga, as well as a large delegation of Spanish business leaders. Such a lineup clearly illustrates Madrid’s intention to develop not only political but also economic dialogue.
The key goal of the visit was to address the significant trade imbalance between the two economies and attract Chinese investment into Spain’s strategic sectors. As of 2024, Spain’s imports from China reached €45 billion, while Spanish exports to China amounted to only €7.5 billion. Such a gap requires active measures to diversify Spanish exports and open the Chinese market to Spanish goods.
Chinese companies CATL, Envision, Chery, and BYD are already implementing investment projects in battery production, electric vehicles, and potash mining. Additionally, Spain is being considered as a potential site for BYD’s third European factory.
The King’s visit logically continues the strategy of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government to “reset” relations with Beijing. Behind the economic agenda lies a serious political calculation and Spain’s aspiration for greater foreign policy autonomy amid cooling relations between Madrid and the United States. Moreover, statements from the Donald Trump administration about possible increases in trade tariffs have prompted Washington’s European allies to seek alternative cooperation partners.
Spanish diplomatic circles openly state that the unipolar era of US hegemony is over and that Spain must establish strong relations with “rising powers” such as China, India, Brazil, and the Gulf states.
King Felipe VI’s visit to China reflects the objective process of forming a multipolar world in which even traditional US allies are compelled to independently build relations with new centers of power. For Spain, this is an opportunity to reduce its trade deficit and attract investment. For China, it is a chance to strengthen its position in Europe. The success of this strategy will depend on Madrid’s ability to balance transatlantic solidarity with pragmatic cooperation with Beijing.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
