Spain and France have expressed support for the possibility of Britain rejoining the European Union, while calling for stronger measures to protect European industries from competition from China.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and French President Emmanuel Macron made the remarks on Wednesday during Macron’s state visit to Spain.
The comments followed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s suggestion earlier in the day that Britain should consider options that could eventually include rejoining the EU.
Macron described the proposal as “excellent news” and welcomed it as a positive development.
“We would open our arms to Britain,” Sanchez said, signalling Spain’s willingness to welcome the United Kingdom back into the bloc.
The two leaders also agreed that European countries need to strengthen their trade defences against Chinese competition. They stressed the importance of ensuring that Chinese investment in strategic European industries comes with commitments on technology transfer and other safeguards.
Macron said European countries must remain united in responding to what they consider unfair competition.
“If we are not united as Europeans, we have no possibility of success,” he said.
Spain and France also called for greater flexibility in negotiations over the European Union’s next budget, with Sanchez urging Brussels to show more understanding toward governments facing economic and social pressures.
Both countries are among EU members concerned that proposed reductions in the bloc’s budget could affect funding for farmers and increase economic inequality.
The discussions come as Spain and France prepare for elections next year, with European economic policy, agriculture and competition from foreign industries expected to remain important political issues.
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