Could Spain’s ‘compliment sandwich’ approach to China work for the EU?

AI Summary

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's recent diplomatic visit to China showcased a strategic balance aimed at strengthening relations while addressing trade concerns and the effects of the Ukraine war. This approach might serve as a potential template for the EU to navigate its geopolitical challenges, particularly in light of its complex relationship with the United States.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s diplomatic balancing act during his visit to China last month marked a sharp contrast with a European Union grappling with geopolitical upheaval and economic stagnation. Sanchez pushed for closer ties with Beijing while raising concerns over a persistent bilateral trade deficit and the Ukraine war, an approach that analysts said could serve as a diplomatic template for Brussels amid its fraying relationship with Washington. According to Wang Hanyi, a...