Laura Fernandez Set to Become Costa Rica’s Next President, Promising Sweeping Political Change 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Trump’s Iraq Envoy Mark Savaya Ousted Amid U.S.-Iraq Tensions Over Iran Influence 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Minnesota Judge Rejects Bid to Halt Trump Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Zelenskiy Awaits U.S. Details as Ukraine Prepares for Possible Peace Talks Next Week 
U.S. and Israeli Military Leaders Hold Pentagon Talks as Tensions With Iran Escalate 
Rafah Border Crossing to Reopen for Palestinians as Israel Coordinates with Egypt and EU 
Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined a vision for deeper cooperation with Spain, emphasizing a “globally influential” partnership as Beijing seeks Madrid’s support within the European Union. Spanish King Felipe VI’s visit marks the first state trip by a Spanish monarch to China in 18 years, signaling renewed diplomatic and economic engagement between the two nations.
During their meeting in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi expressed China’s readiness to strengthen strategic ties with Spain, promoting collaboration in trade, technology, and third-market ventures across Latin America. He stressed that both nations share a global responsibility to foster peace and development. King Felipe echoed the sentiment, highlighting the “relationship of trust” built over decades of cultural and economic exchanges.
Madrid has recently intensified its outreach to Beijing, unveiling a foreign affairs program in April aimed at reinforcing trade relations and diversifying global partnerships. China, facing pressure from both the U.S. and EU over trade imbalances and subsidies to its electric vehicle sector, views Spain as a gateway to European markets and emerging regions with Spanish influence.
Despite EU skepticism over China’s ties with Russia and industrial policies, Spain is pursuing a pragmatic approach. The visit produced 10 bilateral agreements covering food safety, language education, and space cooperation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also expressed interest in expanding investment in Spain’s renewable energy sectors, including solar, green hydrogen, and batteries.
Economic stakes are high: China imposed a 62.4% tariff on EU pork products after the EU introduced tariffs on Chinese EVs. Spain, a leading pork exporter, abstained from the EU vote and continues to lobby for tariff removal. With $52 billion in imports from China and $8 billion in exports, Spain aims to balance trade by attracting more Chinese investment while supporting EU economic stability.
