Spain Withdraws Backing for French-Led EU China Trade Push, Reversing Perceived Support
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · May 28
Spain Withdraws Backing for French-Led EU China Trade Push, Reversing Perceived Support
6 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · May 28
Carlos Cuerpo said in Berlin that Spain had given “no specific political support” to any non-paper backing a French-led effort to strengthen EU trade defenses against China.
The statement marks a reversal of Madrid’s perceived alignment with tougher trade measures targeting Beijing and undercuts momentum behind the French initiative.
Spain’s shift exposes divisions inside the EU over how aggressively to respond to Chinese trade practices, complicating any push for a harder common line.
Is Spain’s pivot to China a masterstroke for its economy or a fatal blow to European unity?
As France's EU leadership wavers, who really holds the power in shaping Europe's China policy?