President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off all trade with Spain, criticizing the country for not meeting NATO defense spending targets. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump labeled Spain a “wasted cause” due to its refusal to allow the U.S. to use joint military bases for the war against Iran. In 2025, trade between the U.S. and Spain amounted to approximately $47 billion.
Trump’s comments came during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where he expressed dissatisfaction with Spain’s contribution to NATO. Trump stated, “We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” citing their resistance to increasing defense spending and their decision to limit U.S. military base access.
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has maintained that their relations with Washington are operating normally. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares noted that diplomatic contacts between the two countries continue regularly. The Spanish Prime Minister’s office described Trump’s comments as “business as usual.”
The potential trade cut-off poses challenges, as Spain is a member of the European Union, which negotiates trade deals collectively. The EU expects the Trump administration to honor existing trade agreements, emphasizing the need to respect international law and bilateral agreements. The European Commission spokesperson stated that the EU would protect its interests.
Trump’s threat of a trade embargo follows a Supreme Court decision that struck down his previous global tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the administration’s ability to impose embargoes, and investigations by the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Department are expected to follow.
The Spanish government has criticized the U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran, calling for de-escalation and dialogue. Despite the tensions, Spain remains committed to its NATO obligations, contributing to European defense.
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