Spain Welcomes Chinese EV Investment and Workers, Contrasting US Tariff Wall

Spain is actively courting Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers with factory investments and work visas, a stark contrast to the United States' 100% import tariff on Chinese EVs and ban on Chinese-linked vehicle software. A Spanish government report reveals that a 4.1 billion euro battery plant jointly owned by CATL and Stellantis will rely on Chinese expatriate workers through 2028. Spain, Europe's second-largest auto producer, sees this as a pragmatic strategy to keep its factories running as Chinese brands double their EU market share to 6% in early 2026. The article argues that while the US chose to wall out Chinese competition, Spain chose to let it in to learn and benefit economically.