Spain’s Drive to Attract Chinese Investment Amid Calls for EU-Wide Rules

As Spanish regions compete to lure Chinese battery and carmakers, they are also advocating for stringent EU foreign investment regulations to safeguard Spain’s economy. This dual strategy underscores Europe’s challenge in managing Chinese firms’ increasing imports and expansion ambitions without being reduced to a mere production hub for Chinese technology. The upcoming discussions among European Union nations regarding trade arrangements with Beijing will be crucial. Mikel Irujo, leading business development in Navarre, expressed concerns about Europe’s industrial competitiveness vis-a-vis China, emphasizing the need for a “Made in Europe” law mandating local content, technology transfer, and limited asset ownership for foreign…