ANKARA, Turkey — President Donald Trump called for the United States to halt all trade with Spain on Wednesday, sharply escalating a dispute with the NATO ally over defense spending, and its refusal to support aspects of the U.S. military campaign against Iran.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Trump described Spain as “a terrible partner” and instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off trade with the country.
“Cut off all trade with Spain, please,” Trump said. “Spain is a terrible partner in NATO.”
Dispute Centers On Defense, Iran
Trump’s remarks follow months of growing tensions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Spain has resisted NATO’s push for members to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense and has opposed U.S. military operations against Iran, including declining to allow American forces to use the joint U.S.-Spanish bases at Rota and Morón for offensive strikes.
The president argued that Spain has failed to contribute its fair share to the alliance while benefiting from American security guarantees.
Spain Pushes Back
Spanish officials downplayed Trump’s comments, emphasizing that trade policy is negotiated through the European Union rather than bilaterally between Madrid and Washington.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended Spain’s defense policy, arguing the country can meet its NATO obligations without adopting the alliance’s new spending benchmark. His government also reiterated that Spain remains committed to NATO despite disagreements over Iran and military funding.
Economic Stakes Are Significant
A complete halt to U.S.-Spain trade would represent a major escalation in transatlantic relations.
According to U.S. trade data, annual goods and services trade between the two countries totals tens of billions of dollars, while millions of Americans visit Spain each year. Spain is also a key European destination for U.S. investment.
Legal experts note that any sweeping trade restrictions would likely face significant legal and procedural hurdles, particularly because Spain is part of the European Union, which negotiates trade policy on behalf of its member states.
Latest Rift Inside NATO
Trump’s comments added to an already contentious NATO summit, where leaders have sought to maintain alliance unity while confronting Russia’s war in Ukraine and the expanding conflict with Iran.
The president has repeatedly argued that European allies must shoulder more of the burden for their own defense and has criticized countries he believes are falling short of their commitments.
His latest threat against Spain underscores how disagreements over defense spending and Middle East policy are increasingly spilling into broader diplomatic and economic relations between Washington, and its European allies.
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Reduce NATO funds then overall
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