China came out on Wednesday in defense of Spain and categorically rejected the idea that international trade could become a weapon used for political pressure. "Trade should not be used as a weapon or as a tool," stated the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, in response to a question from Efe regarding the threats from Washington to "cut all trade" with Spain and even impose an embargo.
In Chinese diplomacy, where every word is carefully measured, the message was clear: Beijing does not support the instrumentalization of economic relations as a political punishment. This public statement aims to support the position of one of the European countries with which China has strengthened its ties in recent years.
The reaction from the world's second-largest economy comes after Trump criticized the government of Pedro Sánchez for refusing to authorize the use of the Rota and Morón bases for operations related to the offensive against Iran. The U.S. President, during a joint appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also criticized Sánchez's rejection of increasing military spending to 5% of GDP, a figure that Washington demands from its European allies. "Everyone accepted my request, Germany, everyone, except Spain," he lamented, before hinting at commercial threats.
Behind the Chinese spokesperson's defense lies more than just rhetoric. China and Spain have strengthened their ties in recent years amid growing rivalry between Beijing and Washington. Spain is one of China's most relevant trading partners in Southern Europe and a strategic entry point for Chinese investments in infrastructure, energy, and logistics.
Chinese companies are involved in key and sensitive assets in the Spanish energy and port systems, while the Chinese market has become a priority destination for Spanish agri-food products, especially pork, olive oil, and wine.
Political harmony has also intensified, with former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero frequently acting as a liaison between both governments. Sánchez, who will visit Beijing for the fourth time in April, has advocated in Brussels for maintaining a "balanced" relationship with China, always avoiding, unlike other European leaders, publicly discussing excessive dependence on the Asian giant or human rights issues.
In today's international scene marked by the war in the Middle East, Beijing seizes every opportunity presented by the gap between Trump and Sánchez, aware that this confrontation allows the Chinese regime to position itself as a guarantor of commercial stability and a reliable partner.
In Beijing, the focus of Wednesday's press conference was not limited to the bilateral dispute between Madrid and Washington. Spokesperson Mao reiterated that the U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran "violate international law", a stance China has maintained since the beginning of the conflict.