Spain’s fruit bowl diplomacy with China yields only agricultural deals

Spain’s diplomatic strategy toward China, described as a “fruit bowl” approach, has resulted in a series of agricultural export agreements but no strategic concessions from Beijing. In March 2023, Spain secured access for almonds and persimmons; September 2024 brought eight broad agreements; April 2025 unlocked pork and cherries; and this month added pistachios, poultry, dried figs, and more pork. Despite four official visits, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has obtained zero concessions from China on issues like reciprocal market access or investment flows. Sánchez claims Spain now has the highest-level political dialogue with China in 53 years, yet the tangible outcomes remain limited to food exports. Critics argue the government has subordinated Madrid to Beijing without parliamentary consultation or a coherent China strategy, and that the asymmetry between Spain—a secondary actor within a middle-ranking bloc—and a major power like China cannot be overcome by diplomacy alone.