On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump issued a warning regarding the potential cessation of trade with Spain. This statement was prompted because Trump and his associates accuse Spain of a lack of support for US and Israeli military actions against Iran, as well as the country’s reluctance to increase its NATO contributions. This announcement followed remarks from Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who said that Spain would not permit the United States to utilise jointly operated military bases in southern Spain for any actions not sanctioned by the United Nations charter.
Trump said, despite Spain’s refusal, “we could use their base if we want. We could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it, but we don’t have to.”
Albares further clarified that these bases were not involved in the recent military operations against Iran.
“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain,” an angry Trump told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
However, the feasibility of President Trump implementing a trade halt with Spain raises questions, given that Spain is a member of the European Union (EU), which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of all 27 member states. The Trump administration seems to ignore or refuse to understand this essential fact.
A spokesperson from the office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez noted, “If the U.S. administration seeks to reevaluate the trade agreement, it must do so in accordance with the autonomy of private companies, international law, and existing bilateral agreements between the European Union and the United States.”
The EU has expressed its expectation that the Trump administration will uphold the trade agreement it established with the bloc in Scotland last year, particularly following a period of economic uncertainty stemming from the administration’s tariff policies.
“The Commission will always ensure that the interests of the European Union are fully protected,” said European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill.
Trump recently threatened tariffs or trade embargoes after the Supreme Court struck down his wide-ranging global tariffs, stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not allow him to impose them unilaterally. Trump now argues the ruling permits him to impose embargoes on specific countries.
He also criticised Spain for backing out of NATO’s 5% defence spending target, claiming it wanted to maintain spending at just 2.1% of its GDP. Trump remarked, “Spain is the only NATO country that won’t commit to 5%, and they don’t even pay the 2%.”
Merz supported Trump’s comments, emphasising the need to fulfil NATO commitments. Spain defended its position, stating it remains a key NATO member and contributes significantly to European defence.
During an Oval Office meeting, Trump consulted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about his authority to impose embargoes.
Bessent said, “I agree that the Supreme Court reaffirmed your ability to implement an embargo.” Bessent added that the US Trade Representative and Commerce Department would “begin investigations and we’ll move forward with those.” A representative from the US Treasury Department did not respond to The Associated Press’s request for additional comment.
Sánchez has been critical of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, calling it an “unjustifiable” and “dangerous” military intervention. His government has demanded an immediate de-escalation and dialogue, and also condemned Iran’s strikes across the region. Spain’s position on the use of US bases in its territory marks the latest flare-up in its relationship with the Trump administration. Under Sánchez, Europe’s last major progressive leader, Spain was also an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Trump concluded: “Spain has absolutely nothing that we need other than great people. They have great people, but they don’t have great leadership.”
This article used information from The Associated Press.
