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Spanish Prime Minister Urges China to Lead Multipolar World Order

13 April, 2026.Europe.3 sources

Key Takeaways

Sanchez urged China to assume a larger leadership role on climate, security, and defence.
He promoted a multipolar world order and warned against zero-sum global perspectives.
He described China-EU trade imbalance as unsustainable and urged market access.

Multipolar World

Sanchez urged China to take a more substantial leadership role in global affairs.

He framed the shift as an absolute necessity for stability as the US withdraws from historical leadership roles.

AnewZ

Sanchez called for embracing a multipolar world order and warned against outdated zero-sum perspectives.

He cited Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci's 16th-century map lesson to illustrate the danger of a single-centered worldview.

Sanchez said China could do more in financing the fight against climate change, promoting global health, controlling responsible AI, and halting nuclear proliferation.

He praised Beijing's diplomatic positioning, noting China was demanding that international law be respected.

Trade Imbalance

Sanchez called China's trade imbalance with the EU unsustainable.

China accounted for 74 percent of Spain's total trade deficit.

China Daily

The deficit more than doubled over four years to nearly $50 billion in 2025.

Madrid is looking to boost agricultural and manufacturing exports.

China's official news agency Xinhua said Sanchez's visit was set to further consolidate bilateral ties.

Sanchez is expected to attract new investors and gain access to China's critical raw materials.

EU-China Relations

Sanchez positioned Spain as a bridge between Beijing and the EU.

“Spanish premier urges China to take bigger role in multipolar order Pedro Sanchez also called China's trade imbalance with the European Union "unsustainable" and called on Beijing to open its market to European imports”