ATLANTIC ANCHOR: PORTUGAL IN THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE

Abstract

This paper explores Portugal’s engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a case study in geoeconomic strategy, situated at the intersection of U.S.-China rivalry and European integration. While much scholarly attention has focused on Central and Eastern Europe, Portugal's role in the BRI remains underexamined despite its Atlantic location, deep-sea port infrastructure, and historical ties with China. The study situates Portugal’s participation in the BRI within the broader framework of geoeconomics, defined as the use of economic tools to pursue geopolitical aims. Chinese investments in Portuguese energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications have intensified since the Eurozone crisis, prompting concerns among Western allies about strategic dependencies. The Port of Sines exemplifies this strategic tension, attracting interest from both Chinese and American stakeholders. At the same time, Portugal has advanced its maritime ambitions through “blue economy” partnerships with China, balancing commercial cooperation with geopolitical caution. The study further examines the evolving regulatory landscape shaped by the European Union’s foreign investment screening framework and the United States’ efforts to curtail Chinese influence in critical sectors like 5G. Portugal’s recent distancing from Huawei and reassessment of its BRI participation illustrate how smaller states can recalibrate their foreign policy amid intensifying global competition. The findings suggest that Portugal’s case highlights the strategic dilemmas of middle powers navigating competing geoeconomic agendas, revealing how economic connectivity is increasingly instrumentalized for geopolitical ends in Southern Europe.