‘Cut off all trade with Spain’ — Trump turns on NATO ally
Quick Read
“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore,” Trump said.
United States President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to cut off trade with Spain, accusing the European nation of being a “terrible partner” in NATO.
Trump made the remarks on Wednesday at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he criticised Spain over defence spending and its refusal to fully align with Washington’s demands within the military alliance.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said he had directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut trade ties with Madrid.
“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore,” Trump said.
He added, “Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate, they don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits.”
Trump also accused Spain of benefiting heavily from economic relations with the United States while failing to meet expectations within NATO.
“They make so much money with us, and we’re going to see that they make a lot less. I want no business with them,” he said.
The latest outburst deepens a long-running dispute between Washington and Madrid over defence spending.
Spain had rejected Trump’s demand that NATO members raise defence spending to five per cent of gross domestic product by 2035, making it one of the most visible dissenters within the alliance.
Trump had previously threatened trade penalties against Spain over its refusal to meet the target.
The tension also comes amid disagreement over the US-led conflict with Iran, with Spain opposing aspects of Washington’s military posture and refusing to allow the use of its airspace for operations linked to the war.
Trump’s comments triggered fresh concern over relations between the United States and one of its NATO allies, especially as the alliance tries to project unity at the Ankara summit.
It was not immediately clear how the proposed trade cut-off would be implemented or whether the move would face legal, diplomatic or European Union resistance.
Reuters reported that Trump said he had ordered Bessent to cut off all trade with Spain and called Madrid a “terrible partner” in the alliance.
Comments