As the European Union continues to oscillate between pressure and dialogue in its China policy, a growing number of European officials are signaling a more pragmatic approach. 

Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a tough tone in her annual State of the Union address before the European Parliament, warning that the EU’s goods trade deficit with China had reached “€1 billion a day” and claiming that “a second China shock” has arrived. She pledged to use every available tool to rebalance trade relations. 

Yet that hardline rhetoric does not fully reflect Europe’s broader political landscape. Spain’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo offered a markedly different message in an interview with Bloomberg in Dublin on September 18, 2026. He urged the EU to pursue more candid and constructive dialogue with China instead of rushing toward tariffs and trade restrictions, calling on Europe to seize what he described as a “window of opportunity” in China-EU relations. 

For Spain, China is far more than a trading partner. It is also a major source of investment and a partner in industrial cooperation. In April this year, the two countries signed a series of agreements covering expanded market access for Spanish products, sustainable investment, green transition initiatives, technology cooperation, and job creation. 

Against this backdrop, Òscar Ordeig, minister for agriculture, livestock, fisheries and food of Catalonia, an autonomous region in northeastern Spain, visited China recently and sat down for an exclusive interview with China Today. 

Describing China as “amazing,” Ordeig praised its cuisine, technological progress, and global vision. His visit came at a sensitive moment in China-EU relations. While Brussels and Beijing remain at odds over semiconductors, tariffs, and industrial policy, agriculture – often overshadowed by geopolitics – is quietly emerging as one of key areas for tangible and practical cooperation. 

During a packed week-long itinerary in September that took him from Beijing to Hainan, Ordeig visited governmental departments, companies, and research institutions while gaining firsthand insight into the scale and dynamism of the Chinese market. In the interview, he shared his observations and his hopes for stronger China-Spain and China-Europe ties. 

From the Mediterranean to Chinese Dining Tables 

Located in northeastern Spain, Catalonia’s agri-food sector accounts for 18 percent of the region’s GDP, making it the largest contributor to both revenue and employment in the region. Over the past decade, Catalan food exports to China – including wine, olive oil, ham, and other meat products – have grown by more than 150 percent. Today, more than 300 agri-food companies from the region export to China. 

“We explain our country, our territory, our history through the food and the traditions related to gastronomy,” Ordeig said. 

To him, agriculture is not merely an economic sector but a form of cultural storytelling. Catalonia enjoys one of the highest life expectancies in the world, a fact he partly attributes to the Mediterranean diet, which UNESCO recognized in 2013 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

The Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on local ingredients, seasonal eating, balanced nutrition, and shared meals resonates strongly with traditional Chinese food culture. 

Still, Ordeig believes the relationship between China and Catalonia must go beyond trade growth alone. 

“We need to take the next step,” he said. “We should cooperate from a broader perspective – in technology, science, climate change, and in addressing the enormous challenge of increasing global food production by 60 percent over the next 25 years.” 

When Chinese AI Meets Catalan Farmland 

Throughout the interview, Ordeig repeatedly expressed admiration for China’s advances in agricultural technology. 

“Congratulations on your extraordinary achievements in technology, science, robotics, and artificial intelligence,” he said. 

The praise was more than diplomatic courtesy. Agriculture worldwide is under mounting pressure from climate change, water shortages, and labor scarcity. Since 2022, Catalonia has suffered severe droughts that have significantly affected crop production. China, meanwhile, has accumulated extensive experience in efficient irrigation systems and climate-resilient crop development. 

“We are currently designing Catalonia’s irrigation strategy for the next decade,” Ordeig revealed. “There is enormous potential for cooperation with our Chinese counterparts and for sharing experiences.” 

He also highlighted greenhouse technology, digital irrigation, and agricultural robotics as key areas for future collaboration. 

“And we can develop robotization because we don’t have enough labor to work in our fields. And we have to explore new priorities. And this is an amazing opportunity,” he said. 

Research institutions in Catalonia have already begun engaging with their Chinese counterparts to explore new partnerships. 

Searching for Certainty in a Changing Europe 

As Brussels prepares the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework for 2028-2034, Ordeig argued that agriculture must remain a strategic priority rather than becoming secondary to other policy agendas. 

“Food production and food security are among the highest priorities – not only in Europe, but globally,” he said. 

His remarks carry particular significance at a time when China-EU relations are increasingly shaped by debates over green transition policies, supply-chain resilience, and new regulatory barriers that have added uncertainty to agricultural trade. 

At the same time, China remains the world’s largest food market and an irreplaceable growth engine for European exporters. 

Catalonia’s strategy is clear: simplify regulations, support young farmers, invest in irrigation and technology, provide financial tools for small family farms, and deepen engagement with China. 

“We have many small and family-run farms,” Ordeig noted. “They need financial support and tools to compete in the global market.” 

Spain’s Olive Oil Push in China 

More than 80 percent of China’s imported olive oil comes from Spain, and Catalonia is playing an increasingly important role in this trade. 

Although olive oil consumption in China is still far from mainstream, demand has grown steadily in recent years as more consumers embrace healthier lifestyles. Industry data show that Spanish olive oil exports to China are rebounding strongly, with annual export volumes increasing by roughly 14,000 tons year on year. 

Yet Ordeig understands that turning olive oil from an occasional luxury or gift item into a staple of everyday Chinese cooking will take time. 

His strategy is straightforward: tell the story through food, chefs, and cultural exchange. “In Catalonia, we use olive oil for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” he said. “When you visit someone or bring a gift to an institution, you bring a bottle of high-quality olive oil. That’s part of who we are.” 

As the interview concluded, Ordeig delivered a clear message: “Catalonia wants to be the best possible partner for the Chinese government and the Chinese people.” 

He invited Chinese media and consumers to visit Barcelona and Catalonia to “discover our culture, our country, and our gastronomy.” 

At a time when headlines are dominated by trade disputes and technological rivalry, agricultural cooperation offers a different narrative – one rooted in daily life, shared meals, and mutual trust. 

As he put it: “We should not focus on the problems. We should focus on the opportunities.”