Trump Threatens to Cut Trade With Spain Over Iran Base Dispute and NATO Spending Tensions

US–Spain Trade Tensions Rise After Military Base Disagreement

Donald Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain after the country refused to allow U.S. forces to use jointly operated military bases for operations linked to strikes on Iran. The comments were made during a meeting with Friedrich Merz, signaling rising tensions among Western allies.

Trump stated that the United States could end trade ties with Spain, criticizing what he described as insufficient support during recent U.S. and Israeli military actions. He also argued that U.S. forces could technically use shared bases if necessary, despite Spain’s refusal.

Spain Cites International Law and EU Trade Authority

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares clarified that Spain would not permit the use of joint bases for military strikes not covered under the United Nations charter. He also confirmed that the Spanish facilities were not involved in the recent attack on Iran.

Officials from the office of Pedro Sánchez responded by noting that any review of trade agreements must comply with international law and respect existing agreements between the European Union and the United States. Since Spain operates under EU trade rules, any major trade changes would require coordination at the European level rather than unilateral action.

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