Spain looked at Chinese cars as a salvation table. In the commercial war, the risk of dying drowning runs

“Spain is in favor of more balanced relations between the EU and China,” with these words Pedro Sánchez, president of the Government, has defended his approach to China before the commercial war that is being freed and during the same.

And the automobile sector has a lot to do.

“Essential partner”. With those words Pedro Sánchez has defined the relationship that China should have with the European Union. The words have pronounced them during their meeting with Xi Jinping, president of the country.

The Spanish is in a round of visits by Asia in which he is stopping in China and Vietnam. Both countries have been severely punished by the United States. China still maintains 125% tariff Despite the 90 -day truce that Donald Trump has granted. Vietnam had been punished with some 46% tariffs.

The importance of words. This “essential partner” is not accidental and shows Spain’s approach to China in full tension for the commercial war that are pounding the United States and the Asian country. In fact, the words of the words of the European Union is unmarked as “partner, competitor and systemic rival”, collected by The country.

Sanchez needs to play with tact with his statements. Only a few days ago, Scott Besent, secretary of the United States Treasury, said that “I am not sure if it was the prime minister or the Minister of Economy of Spain, who made some comments this morning: ‘Maybe we should align more with China.’ That would be to cut off the neck”, in words collected by The confidential.

Xi Jinping, meanwhile, thanked Sánchez for the “firm will” to maintain good relations between the two countries, emphasizing that it is the third time that the president of the Spanish Government visits the Asian country, they point out in The world.

The equilibrium game. Spain has encountered the most uncomfortable view at the right time. With the agenda already scheduled, it was seen if the president of the Government would be willing to go to China in the middle of the commercial tension with the United States. The single presence is seen as a Spanish approach to the Chinese side and, of course, It is unmarked from European politics that bets to get wet as little as possible.

However, Spain has a good number of Chinese investments in our country. The commercial balance between the two countries It is still very unbalanced In favor of China (we import goods worth 45,174 million euros and export there products worth 7,467 million euros) but China has the key in key sectors.

Putting the carpet. Without a doubt, one of the sectors in which Spain wants to influence is the car. China is disembarking in Europe. His commercial war with the United States will force him to disembark in greater force in Europe and Spain is a perfect gateway.

With the fees to the electric car, the plug -in hybrids and the Chinese low ranges vehicles have A huge opportunity in countries like Spanish where “electricity” is not so developed. All their companies need to open markets outside China to seek profitability. If the perspectives are maintained, byd will be in 2025 One of the five greatest manufacturers of the world.

Given this situation, Spain is clear that it wants to be a very important part of Chinese landing in Europe. The automobile sector is essential for Spain. Not only in its factories, you have to add ports that receive cars, distributors and a Powerful auxiliary and component industry.

It is better for us. The biggest problem facing Spain is that it is best to open to China if you want to open your business routes in the automobile sector. When the tariffs of Chinese electric car were voted for the first time, Spain was favorable. A visit to China and a threat of attacking the Spanish pig directly (whose exports to China are key) He changed the Executive idea.

But, in addition, other threats float in the air. In Europe, France or Italy remained firm in their favorable vote to tariffs on Chinese electric cars. Then, China ordered to stop investments In those countries and since then we have not had news of new approaches.

At the moment, Spain has Chinese investments in different ports To receive and start distributing cars that arrive from Asia, the investment of Chery in Barcelonathe agreement between Catl and Stellantis For a battery plant in Aragon or the Extremadura projects to produce batteries for electric cars.

But there are certain problems. In a first reading, it seems clear that if Spain has the opportunity to continue expanding its Chinese investments in the automobile sector to be key in the European car of the future and if you have a threat to its head of withdrawing investments or torpedoing trade between the two countries, the approach to China seems completely logical.

The problem is to pull the rope tense, irremediably, on the other. The United States has already warned Spain that its position is not correct and some sectors are (obviously) worried. The direct impact In the automobile industry it is not too high but, for example, shipments to the United States of olive oil They have shot under the threat of tariffs.

What can we expect? Given this context, Spain will have to play its cards to several bands. Approach enough to Beijing but without burning. It will be necessary to see if the United States maintains its commitment to tax trade with the European Union with a flat rate or if it extends tariffs by sectors, which can be an indirect attack on a specific country.

A good example is the 25% tariff to the car. The United States government has repeatedly decided to pause its tariffs to Mexico or Canada but keeping them in the car market is a clear attack on these countries. Also to Germany, in Europe, which is The country that exports more vehicles to the United States.

We will have to wait, therefore, to see if the United States keeps the pulse again activates its tariffs in 90 days and if we will not find any more or less direct punishment to our country along the way.

Photo | Ebro and omoda

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