Spain's recent foreign action strategy for 2025 to 2028, approved during a Council of Ministers meeting, outlines a vision amid growing global uncertainties.

The strategy identifies three primary areas of focus: strengthening European autonomy in economic and defense matters, promoting development cooperation, and enhancing democratic resilience in response to rising polarization and disinformation campaigns.

In the face of perceived declining security and shifting U.S. priorities, Spain calls for a structural transformation of European Union institutions and policies to bolster the bloc's defense and deterrent capabilities.

The strategy warns against a global trend towards commercial retrenchment, advocating for diversifying supply chains, fostering existing alliances, and building new trust-based relations.

Amid ongoing tensions, especially related to U.S. tariffs, Spain urges an increase in the EU's economic defense mechanisms against coercive tactics from third parties, emphasizing the need for enhanced technical capacity in sanctions and export controls.

Additionally, it proposes a coordinated framework for investment controls among member states.

The document also suggests a significant reform of the EU’s defense policies, envisioning a transition from the current Common Security and Defence Policy to a comprehensive common defense strategy that addresses traditional defense areas alongside hybrid and terrorist threats, aligned with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's positions articulated in Brussels.

It further highlights the need for improved planning and development of rapid deployment capabilities and a robust technological and industrial base within the sector.

Spain asserts that for the EU to effectively tackle the strategic challenges of the future, budgetary resources should be doubled in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework from the current level of approximately 1% of the EU's Gross National Income (GNI).

The government advocates for new revenues and joint debt issuance as seen in the Next Generation EU fund.

Significant financial ambition is deemed crucial to meet strategic challenges particularly connected to competitiveness, including the green, digital, and social transitions as well as security and defense policies.

Additionally, Spain underscores the necessity of enhancing the EU's economic competitiveness and aims to gradually move away from unanimity in decision-making processes within the treaty framework.

This includes deepening the single market while maintaining regulatory certainty provided by EU institutions.

The strategy also emphasizes the ambition to lead decarbonization efforts and asserts the digital sovereignty of EU member states, an area where Europe has lagged, particularly compared to the United States.

With regard to international relations, Spain reaffirms its comprehensive support for Ukraine amid its ongoing military conflict, as well as backing the accession processes of Western Balkan countries and other candidates for EU membership.

The strategy cites the current Russian invasion as indicative of the weaknesses in the existing multilateral framework, particularly calling for reforms within the United Nations Security Council to enhance its efficacy and representation by expanding the number of non-permanent members and constricting the use of veto powers.

Spain also aims to ensure the World Health Organization remains central in global health governance, particularly following the U.S. withdrawal under the previous administration, actively participating in discourse surrounding an international treaty on pandemics and advocating for universal health coverage based on experiences from Spain’s national health system.

Furthermore, the strategy reiterates Spain's commitment to international justice through the International Criminal Court, especially in light of Hungary's announced departure, which coincides with controversies over warrants for war crimes.

In the realm of development cooperation, Spain stands against the recent reduction of aid initiatives promoted by U.S. policies, positioning development cooperation as a vital instrument for advancing peace and security.

The strategy articulates a need to shift towards a new narrative that emphasizes alliances over aid.

It proposes significant budget commitments, striving to reach 0.7% of GNI by 2030, while also advocating for decentralized cooperation approaches involving various regional and local entities.

On the issue of democratic integrity, Spain's foreign action strategy highlights concerns over algorithmic biases, privacy erosion, and increased disinformation campaigns exacerbated by foreign interference.

There is a noted emphasis on enhancing the accountability and transparency of tech platforms to combat misinformation and protect vulnerable groups against hate speech.

Lastly, regarding Spain's relationship with Morocco, the strategic document mentions the government’s support for the United Nations' role in advocating for international peace and security.

It acknowledges recent positioning changes concerning the Sahara, reaffirming the strengthening of bilateral ties, which are described as currently being at their best moment.