A member of NATO has sought assistance from China following a dispute with Donald Trump. Spain has urged Xi Jinping to play a role in ending the conflict in Iran, emphasizing China’s potential to mediate in conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed confidence in China’s ability to help resolve the situation in Iran and conflicts in countries like Ukraine. During a visit to Beijing, Sánchez highlighted China as the primary global power capable of addressing the Iran conflict and issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent tensions escalated when Donald Trump threatened to halt trade with Spain after the country declined to allow the US to use its military bases for attacking Iran. Sánchez criticized the US and Israel for what he deemed as unjustified and dangerous military interventions that violated international law.
In response, Trump criticized Spain’s actions and threatened to sever trade ties, citing disagreements over defense spending within NATO. Trump later praised China for agreeing not to supply weapons to Iran, attributing the success to his efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.
Xi Jinping expressed concerns about the disarray in the global order, particularly as Iran threatened to block the Red Sea in response to the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. While meeting with Sánchez in Beijing, Xi Jinping remarked on the chaos prevailing in the world and the erosion of the international order.
