Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on the European Union to reconsider its plans to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, signaling a significant shift in Spain’s stance. Speaking during a visit to Kunshan, China, on Wednesday, Sanchez emphasized the importance of avoiding a trade war.

“We don’t need another war, in this case a trade war,” Sanchez said, urging both EU member states and the European Commission to reassess the proposed tariffs.

This comes after Sanchez’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he expressed Spain’s support for “fair trade” with China. Previously, Spain had been a strong advocate for the EU Commission’s proposal to introduce tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, aimed at protecting Europe’s car industry from low-cost competition.

Sanchez’s comments suggest a potential shift in the EU’s approach to this contentious issue, with a key vote expected later this month.