Trump Says He Ordered Cutoff of US Trade With Spain at NATO Summit

Ankara | Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt all trade with Spain, sharply criticizing Madrid over its stance on NATO defence spending and cooperation with the United States.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the opening of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump described Spain as a “terrible partner” within the alliance and said he no longer wanted the United States to conduct business with the country.

Trump Criticises Spain Over NATO Commitments

Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with Spain, which has not agreed to NATO’s new target of spending 5 percent of its Gross Domestic Product on defence.

He has also criticized Spain’s Socialist government for refusing to allow the United States to use Spanish airspace and military bases during the conflict involving Iran.

“Spain doesn’t agree to anything, and you shouldn’t carry them,” Trump said during the meeting with Rutte.

Turning to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump added, “I don’t want to do any trade with them, alright?”

Bessent replied, “Yes, sir.”

Trump then instructed him to act immediately.

“Take it immediately. Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless. They’re bad people,” Trump said.

“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.”

Military Bases Remain Strategically Important

Despite Trump’s criticism, Spain hosts two major U.S. military installations that play key roles in NATO operations: Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base.

The facilities are considered strategically important for American and allied military activities in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Earlier Pentagon Discussions

According to Reuters, an internal Pentagon email circulated in April outlined possible measures the United States could take against NATO allies viewed as failing to support U.S. military operations during the conflict with Iran.

One option discussed included suspending Spain from the NATO alliance, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

Trump’s latest remarks are expected to heighten tensions between Washington and Madrid at a time when NATO allies are seeking greater unity on defence spending and collective security.

Source: Reuters