Speaking at Tsinghua University, Sanchez said trade flows between China and the EU were “imbalanced” and called on Chinese authorities to open their markets to address a widening deficit. “We need China to open up so that Europe does not have to close itself off,” he said, adding that the deficit grew by 18 percent last year and posed risks over the medium to long term.

Sanchez’s visit, his fourth to China in four years, comes as Madrid seeks to position itself as a bridge between Beijing and the 27-member EU amid signs of strain in transatlantic relations. Recent tariff measures and policy shifts under Donald Trump have prompted several Western governments to pursue closer economic engagement with China.

Spain recorded a trade deficit of 42.3 billion euros ($49.1 billion) with China last year, with Sanchez noting that the shortfall accounts for 74 percent of the country’s overall trade deficit. Spain’s population of roughly 50 million contrasts with China’s more than 1.4 billion, underscoring the structural imbalance in bilateral trade.

The Spanish government is seeking improved access for agricultural and industrial exports and exploring opportunities for joint ventures in the technology sector. Officials also aim to attract Chinese investment into Spain and secure access to critical raw materials.

During the visit, Sanchez is scheduled to tour facilities linked to Xiaomi and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, before holding talks with senior Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

The trip follows a period of diplomatic friction with Washington after Trump threatened to reduce trade ties with Spain, citing Madrid’s refusal to allow use of its military bases for U.S. strikes against Iran, a key Chinese economic partner.

Spain’s exports to China rose 6.8 percent in 2025, according to government data, reflecting strengthened bilateral engagement. During Sanchez’s previous visit in April 2025, Beijing agreed to expand market access for Spanish products including pork and cherries.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described Spain as “an important partner of China within the EU,” signaling Beijing’s willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation.

France, host of this year’s G7 summit, has scheduled the gathering in Evian-les-Bains from June 15 to 17. The dates were adjusted to accommodate an event Trump is hosting at the White House on June 14 to mark his 80th birthday, according to sources familiar with the planning.

Trump’s relations with several G7 leaders have deteriorated amid tensions over his administration’s war with Iran and broader disagreements on security and diplomacy.

He has also issued repeated criticism of NATO, a defense alliance that includes all G7 members except Japan.Sources said it was not yet confirmed whether Trump would attend the Evian summit, and his absence would risk undermining the meeting at a time when Washington has expressed skepticism about multilateral forums.

The invitation to Versailles, a 17th-century palace built under Louis XIV near Paris, is intended as a high-profile diplomatic gesture highlighting longstanding ties between France and the United States ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations on July 4.

A senior White House official confirmed that Macron had extended the invitation, but said Trump had not yet decided whether to attend the G7 summit or the Versailles event.

Macron’s office declined to comment. A French official said planning for any bilateral visit remains at an early stage and that the format of the reception has yet to be finalized.

Speaking to UK broadcasters before departing Qatar, Starmer described NATO as a longstanding defensive alliance that has underpinned transatlantic security for decades, while acknowledging that European members must increase their financial contributions.

His remarks came in response to renewed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to withdraw from the alliance following disagreements with NATO partners over participation in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.“It is in America’s interests. It’s in European interests,” Starmer said, emphasizing the alliance’s role in maintaining collective security.

The British leader’s visit included stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where discussions centered on sustaining a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran and addressing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global energy supplies.

Starmer said he held a phone call with Trump late on Thursday, during which he conveyed regional concerns, particularly regarding the continued closure of the strait. Although the waterway was expected to reopen under the ceasefire agreement announced earlier this week, recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon and disputes over compliance have delayed progress.

He added that the United Kingdom is working to assemble a coalition of more than 30 countries to coordinate diplomatic and military efforts aimed at restoring safe navigation through the chokepoint.

In a separate interview, Starmer expressed frustration over the economic impact of geopolitical tensions, citing volatility in energy prices. He drew comparisons between the influence of Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on global markets, stating that fluctuations in energy costs were placing pressure on households and businesses.

The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, and prolonged disruption has raised concerns among governments and markets about supply stability and price volatility.

Speaking in an interview with CNN after the meeting, Rutte said certain NATO members were “tested and failed,” while emphasizing that most European countries fulfilled prior commitments in the crisis.

“Some of them yes, but a large majority of European countries have done what they promised before in a case like this,” Rutte said.

He described his talks with Trump as “frank and open,” noting that the U.S. president had expressed disappointment over the level of involvement from some allies during the conflict.

Rutte said he highlighted to Trump that several European countries had contributed through logistical support and other forms of assistance, even if they were not directly involved in military operations.

The remarks underscore ongoing tensions within NATO over burden-sharing and military commitments, particularly as the Iran conflict has exposed divisions among Western allies.

The backlash has emerged despite earlier efforts by Trump to rebuild ties with Europe’s far right after returning to the White House last year.

While U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently campaigned for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, such overt support has become increasingly rare amid discontent over the Iran war.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declined to allow U.S. forces to use an air base in Sicily for strikes on Iran, while Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally, described Trump’s war objectives as “erratic.”

In Germany, officials from the Alternative for Germany have called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in the country.The tensions come even as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains in place, underscoring the broader geopolitical strain triggered by the conflict.

Analysts say the developments highlight the limits of Trump’s ambition to forge a cohesive international bloc of nationalist movements.

“Getting a blessing from Donald Trump is now a mixed blessing,” said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The rift follows earlier friction between Washington and European allies over Trump’s remarks targeting Denmark in connection with his demand that the country cede Greenland to the United States.

Trump also criticized NATO for what he described as insufficient support during recent tensions.Daniel Baer, a former U.S. ambassador and State Department official, said the latest disagreements reflect the difficulty of sustaining a unified nationalist coalition across borders.

“Building some sort of international coalition around national chauvinism is very difficult,” he said.Orbán, long regarded as a key Trump ally, has so far avoided direct criticism, maintaining a cautious stance on the Iran conflict. In a recent interview, he said it was too early to determine whether U.S. actions would lead to peace or further escalation.

Hungary’s leader has emphasized his relationship with Trump as a pillar of his foreign policy, often presenting it to voters as a source of security and international leverage. However, analysts warn that the association could carry political risks as perceptions of the U.S. administration shift.

According to Mario Bikarsku, a senior Europe analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, recent U.S. engagement in Hungary could have unintended consequences for Orbán’s domestic standing.

Experts note that the rise of far-right parties across Europe has largely been driven by domestic political dynamics rather than external influence, suggesting limited incentive for alignment with Washington’s policies.

Kupchan said nationalist movements in countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany have gained traction independently, shaped more by local economic and political conditions than by U.S. support.

The evolving divisions underscore the fragility of transnational political alliances built on ideological affinity, particularly as the Iran conflict continues to reshape global alignments.

A NATO spokesperson described the trip as “long-planned,” with a White House official also confirming the visit, though no further details were disclosed.

The timing comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and its European partners over their limited support for U.S. actions in the Iran conflict.

Trump said he was weighing a U.S. exit from NATO after European members declined to contribute naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane disrupted during the war.

Speaking at a White House gathering, Trump criticized allies including France and the United Kingdom, describing NATO as ineffective and questioning its value to U.S. security interests. The visit by Rutte comes at a sensitive moment for the alliance, which has long been a cornerstone of transatlantic security since its founding in 1949.

Analysts say the rhetoric underscores deepening divisions within NATO over burden-sharing and strategic priorities, particularly in the context of the ongoing Iran war.

Trump’s remarks mark one of the most direct challenges to NATO’s cohesion in recent years, raising uncertainty about the future of U.S. commitment to the alliance as geopolitical tensions intensify.

The controversy intensified after Trump said he would no longer think purely in terms of peace following the Nobel committee’s decision, warning that European countries would face tariffs unless Washington is allowed to secure control over the Arctic island. European leaders have reacted with alarm, viewing the comments as a sharp departure from diplomatic norms.

Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty, has become central to a growing geopolitical standoff. Trump has argued that the island is strategically vital for US security due to its location and mineral resources, while European allies insist that sovereignty and international law must be respected.

The renewed threat of tariffs has unsettled European markets and revived fears of a return to a trade war similar to the turbulence seen in 2025. EU officials are now preparing possible countermeasures, including tariffs on billions of dollars worth of US imports, if Washington follows through on its warnings.

European leaders say the dispute risks undermining NATO at a time when the alliance is already under strain from conflicts in Ukraine and wider security challenges. Several governments have stressed that internal disagreements among allies should be resolved through dialogue rather than economic coercion.

Denmark has firmly rejected the idea that Greenland could be traded or pressured into changing its status. Danish officials have emphasized that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people, not imposed through threats of force or economic punishment.

Greenland’s own leadership has echoed this stance, saying the territory will not bow to pressure and remains committed to dialogue, respect, and international law. Protests have taken place in both Greenland and Denmark, with demonstrators calling for the island’s right to self determination.

Trump’s comments about the Nobel Peace Prize have added an unusual personal dimension to the crisis. The 2025 award was given to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a decision that reportedly angered the US president and has now been drawn into the Greenland debate.

In private messages later released, Trump questioned Denmark’s ability to protect Greenland and suggested the world would not be secure unless the United States had complete control of the island. These remarks have further inflamed tensions across Europe.

European Union leaders are expected to meet at an emergency summit to discuss their options, including the possible use of the bloc’s Anti Coercion Instrument. This tool could restrict US access to European markets, services, or investments if deployed.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts are continuing on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where several European leaders hope to engage directly with Trump. The goal is to prevent further escalation and avoid a damaging cycle of retaliation.

Analysts say the standoff reflects deeper shifts in global power politics, where strategic assets, trade leverage, and domestic political considerations are increasingly intertwined. Greenland’s situation has become a symbol of these broader tensions.

For Europe, the challenge lies in defending sovereignty and alliance principles without triggering a full scale trade confrontation. For the United States, securing strategic interests while maintaining credibility among allies remains a delicate balancing act.

As discussions continue, the outcome will likely shape not only the future of Greenland but also the direction of EU US relations and the stability of the transatlantic alliance in an increasingly uncertain world.

The meeting reflects continued dialogue between allies on Arctic affairs and regional cooperation.

The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland will meet US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

The talks are expected to take place at the White House and focus on mutual interests and long-term cooperation.

Danish officials indicated that the meeting was requested to encourage direct communication and understanding.

They emphasized the value of face-to-face discussions when addressing complex regional topics.

Greenland holds a unique position in the Arctic due to its geography and strategic location.

As an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, it has gradually expanded its self-governing role over recent decades.

Officials from Denmark and Greenland have highlighted the importance of constructive dialogue with international partners.

Such engagement is viewed as essential for maintaining stability and cooperation in the Arctic region.

The Arctic has gained increasing global attention due to environmental changes and economic opportunities.

Countries with interests in the region have focused on collaboration, research, and sustainable development.

Denmark has consistently stated that Arctic matters should be handled through diplomacy and international frameworks.

This approach aligns with its broader commitment to cooperation among allies and partners.

In parallel, Danish defense authorities are continuing discussions with NATO representatives.

These talks aim to strengthen coordination and preparedness in Arctic and northern regions.

Greenland’s leadership has expressed interest in participating actively in international discussions affecting the Arctic.

They see dialogue as a way to ensure that local perspectives are included in broader policy considerations.

NATO cooperation in the Arctic has expanded in recent years through joint exercises and information sharing.

Member states have underlined the importance of transparency and collaboration in the region.

Environmental protection remains a central theme in Arctic discussions.

Melting ice and changing ecosystems have prompted increased focus on sustainable and responsible engagement.

The upcoming meeting in Washington is expected to reinforce existing partnerships.

It also provides an opportunity to align views on regional priorities and future cooperation.

Observers note that regular diplomatic contact helps manage differences and build trust.

Such meetings are seen as part of normal engagement between long-standing partners.

Overall, the talks underline the importance of dialogue in addressing Arctic issues.

They reflect a shared interest in cooperation, stability, and responsible regional engagement.

As negotiations continue, both sides face difficult decisions. For Europe, securing tariff relief on metals and traditional exports remains a priority.

The transatlantic relationship is facing renewed tension as Washington signals that Europe may need to rethink how it regulates major technology firms if it hopes to secure better access for its steel and aluminium exports. Speaking ahead of high-level meetings in Brussels, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made it clear that the Biden administration wants changes to European digital regulations before it considers lowering hefty tariff rates on metals.

His comments come as American and EU officials gather to review the trade framework negotiated in July. That agreement had set US tariff rates on certain European goods at a relatively moderate 15%, a notable improvement over the significantly higher duties initially threatened. In return, Europe promised fresh investments and steps to open its market to more US agricultural products.

But despite that progress, key issues remain unresolved. European negotiators had hoped that the deal would pave the way for relief on metals tariffs, yet Washington has so far kept those rates at 50%—and even expanded the list of goods subject to the duty. For European steel and aluminium producers, who have already been struggling with rising energy costs and global competition, this prolongs a difficult period of uncertainty.

The EU is also seeking broader exemptions from US tariffs on goods such as wine, cheese, and pasta. These carve-outs mirror the privileges recently extended to tropical fruits and coffee under the Trump administration, an opening Brussels believed could set a positive precedent. However, American officials insist that Europe must first honor its own commitments.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, updating reporters on the talks, said Washington wants to see concrete steps from Europe in lowering barriers for American products before moving forward with tariff exemptions. The message was echoed by Secretary Lutnick, who directly tied progress on metal tariffs to concessions on digital policy.

“They would like to have steel and aluminium as part of this package,” Lutnick told Bloomberg Television. “And we think it is very, very important that they understand our digital companies and reconsider their digital regulations to be more inviting to our big companies.”

American leaders have long argued that Europe’s digital service taxes, which apply to large online platforms and advertising companies, unfairly target US-based tech giants. European regulators, meanwhile, defend these measures as necessary updates to competition and tax rules in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Tension has also risen around the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect in 2024. The law is designed to ensure fair competition within the digital marketplace by preventing dominant companies from squeezing out rivals. One well-known example involves rules requiring Apple to make iPhones compatible with non-Apple accessories, such as headphones from competing brands. Silicon Valley firms have criticized these obligations as disproportionate and burdensome, while European officials view them as essential guardrails against monopolistic behavior.

When Donald Trump returned to the White House after the 2024 election, many US tech companies hoped his administration would take a more aggressive stance against European digital regulation, something they felt the Biden team had approached more cautiously. Now, under Trump’s renewed leadership, Washington appears ready to leverage trade negotiations to challenge Brussels more openly.

Europe, however, maintains that its digital framework is not up for debate. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič reiterated that position on Monday, emphasizing that European digital rules apply equally to all companies, regardless of where they are headquartered. “This is not discriminatory. It is not aimed at American companies,” he stated.

As negotiations continue, both sides face difficult decisions. For Europe, securing tariff relief on metals and traditional exports remains a priority. For the United States, opening doors for its technology giants, and pushing back against regulations it views as restrictive, is now firmly part of the trade equation. The coming weeks will reveal whether either side is willing to compromise, or whether this dispute will mark a new chapter of friction in US-EU relations.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.