US envoy urges Spain to tread carefully on China ties, warns of security risks in critical sectors
MADRID (Reuters) – U.S. Ambassador to Spain Benjamin Leon on Wednesday cautioned Madrid to tread carefully as it expands ties with China, warning that Beijing’s growing footprint in critical sectors such as data, defense, and telecommunications could undermine shared security interests with Washington.
Speaking in one of his most detailed public interventions since arriving in February, Leon pointed to contracts awarded to Chinese tech giant Huawei — which the U.S. government has labeled an “unacceptable risk” to national security — and called for greater vigilance.
“I don’t think that attains the level of security at which Spain and the United States are exchanging information,” Leon said. “If Spain ensures that China is kept out of critical areas, why not negotiate? But I see that they are starting to penetrate into critical areas and Spain must be really careful about this.”
Leon accused China of using unfair trade practices and economic coercion to dominate key technologies, and urged Europe to protect its research, intellectual property, and democratic values. Beijing has repeatedly rejected U.S. allegations of espionage and unfair practices.
The ambassador’s remarks come against a backdrop of strained relations between the Trump administration and Spain’s leftist government. Madrid has resisted NATO pressure to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP and declined to fully align with U.S. military operations, including access to bases and airspace during the conflict with Iran.
In October, President Trump threatened economic sanctions against Spain over its defense spending shortfall. Leon acknowledged that Madrid had “frustrated” Trump but played down the likelihood of immediate punitive measures. “As I see it, there will always be a compromise between Spain and the United States … One way or the other, we will find ways to keep working and improving our relationship,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Spanish naval bases at Rota and Morón in southern Spain, calling them “fundamental bases for our collective defense,” amid concerns that a U.S. troop drawdown in Europe could affect Spanish installations. “We live in very dangerous times. Europe must be prepared to defend itself. The U.S. will be at its side,” Leon said.
The comments reflect a broader U.S. effort to reinforce transatlantic alignment on China policy while navigating tensions over defense burden-sharing within NATO.