Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the European Union to work with China in opposing "unilateral bullying," a pointed reference to the escalating trade pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Speaking during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing, Xi emphasized the need for China and Europe to unite in defending multilateralism and the rules-based international order, as Washington's sweeping new tariffs roil global markets.

“China and Europe should fulfil their international responsibilities... and jointly resist unilateral bullying practices,” Xi said, according to Xinhua News Agency.

He added that such cooperation would “safeguard their own legitimate rights and interests” and uphold “international fairness and justice.”

PM Sanchez, on his third visit to China in just over two years, echoed Xi’s sentiment, stating that trade disputes should not hinder broader cooperation between the EU and China.

While acknowledging Spain’s €45 billion annual imports from China compared to only €7.4 billion in exports, Sanchez admitted the need to address the trade imbalance, but stressed that protectionism was not the answer.

“We must not let trade tensions stand in the way of the potential growth of the relationship between China and Spain and between China and the EU,” Sanchez said at a press briefing.

His visit comes as the European Union reevaluates its trade policies, especially in light of the controversial US tariffs that have drawn global criticism. Notably, Sanchez broke ranks with some EU partners last September by opposing high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, instead calling for a "fair trade order."

Before arriving in Beijing, Sanchez also visited Vietnam, where he and PM Pham Minh Chinh signed a joint declaration to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The meetings highlight Europe’s delicate balancing act between major global powers as geopolitical and trade tensions continue to escalate.