U.S.-China trade negotiations to take place in Madrid
High-Level Talks between US and China to Take Place in Madrid
In the coming days, Madrid will play host to a significant diplomatic event as the United States and China send high-level delegations to the Spanish capital for talks. The discussions, which are shrouded in some uncertainty, are set to address trade issues, including US tariffs, export controls, and the future of TikTok.
The US delegation will be led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while China's team will be headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng and top Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang. The choice of Madrid as a neutral location for these discussions is seen as a strategic move, with Spain aiming to leverage the spotlight from hosting such a high-profile event to further its position and influence.
The talks come amidst strained relations between Spain and the US due to restrictions on Spanish ports and airspace for vessels and aircraft transporting weapons to Israel. However, Spain views these discussions as an opportunity to repair the strained ties with the US administration. Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has visited Beijing three times in as many years, indicating a warmer partnership between the two countries.
Recently, Spain shifted its stance on EU tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles from supportive to abstention, aligning itself closer to Beijing in European trade disputes. This move has raised eyebrows in Washington, with concerns expressed that it could impact US operations. Madrid, however, sees the talks as an opportunity to express its concerns directly to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
José-Ignacio Torreblanca, senior adviser at the European Council on Foreign Relations, views the talks as beneficial for Spain in future negotiations with Washington. Spain also sees itself as a key bridge between the West and China during a time of global uncertainty, and these talks may help Spain rebalance its delicate transatlantic diplomacy.
Despite recent tensions, Spain remains a strategic ally to the US, hosting US forces at Morón air base and Rota naval base under a 1953 defense pact. Spain hopes to use these talks to further strengthen its relationships with both the US and China, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for all parties involved.
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