Trump Threatens Spain; Declares What Will Happen Next

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sever all trade ties with Spain following a deepening diplomatic rift over the war in Iran and allied military cooperation.

Speaking at the White House on Tuesday alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Mr. Trump said he had instructed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings with Spain,” describing the Spanish government as “very, very uncooperative.”

The dispute stems from Madrid’s refusal to allow U.S. forces to use jointly operated military bases in Rota and Morón de la Frontera for missions linked to recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, part of an escalating Middle East conflict. Spain has also resisted U.S. pressure to raise its defense spending to higher levels within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization framework.

“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” Trump told reporters, adding that the country “has absolutely nothing that we need.”

Madrid responded by emphasizing its sovereign right to control the use of bases on its territory, reiterating that any operations must comply with international law and existing treaties. Spanish officials also stressed Spain’s ongoing contributions to European and NATO security, and the importance of mutual respect in international trade agreements.

Trade analysts say it may be difficult to implement a full U.S.–Spain trade cutoff, given that Spain’s trade arrangements are largely conducted through the European Union, which negotiates trade deals on behalf of its members.

The threat marks one of the most serious transatlantic tensions in recent years, highlighting cracks within NATO and increasing strains between Washington and European capitals over military strategy and economic policy related to the Iran conflict