Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez begins his fourth visit to China in as many years on Monday, underlining his determination to steer an independent course that has riled U.S. President Donald Trump.

Spain has been one of Europe's loudest proponents of expanding trade and treating China as a strategic ally rather than the economic and geopolitical rival that Trump sees it ​as.

The repeat visit highlights Sanchez's determination not to align himself with Trump — who has heavily criticized Spain for denying ‌landing rights ‌to U.S. forces in the war with Iran and for its relatively low defense spending — ​and threatened to punish uncooperative NATO military allies.

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