Trump again threatens to cut trade relations with Spain; EU says it will 'always' protect its members

President of the United States, Donald Trump, holds a press conference with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026.
FILIP SINGER/Pool via REUTERS
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, threatened again this Wednesday (8) to completely break off Spain's commercial relations to punish what he considers the country's misconduct in the context of NATO (Atlantic Military Treaty North).
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Trump stated that he ordered the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, to stop trade relations with Spain, classifying Madrid as a "terrible partner" in the military alliance.
"Spain is a lost cause. We no longer want to do commercial business with Spain", said Trump. "In fact, I would like to cut that. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they don't pay. I don't want to have anything to do with Spain. Cut all trade with Spain, including visits," he added.
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Trump's threat occurred at a press conference in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, before a NATO summit, and alongside the alliance's secretary general, Mark Rutte. At the same press conference, Trump also stated that the peace agreement signed with Iran was "over" and that he would no longer negotiate with the Iranian government.
In response, the office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that it received Trump's statements with "calmness and normality" and added that bilateral relations benefit both countries.
"Our country maintains an excellent social, cultural and economic relationship with the United States, and it is not our intention for this to change," said the source, who recalled that the US trade relationship with the European Union "cannot be individualized in relation to any member state".
The European Union, of which Spain is a member, stated that it will "always" protect its member countries.
Washington and Madrid have been at odds in recent months, and the Sánchez government has received a lot of criticism from Trump, mainly due to the European country explicitly rejecting the North American's demands to increase military spending to fund its own defense within the scope of NATO.
The disagreements range from NATO's plan to support for the war in Iran, which is why Trump had already threatened to cut trade relations with Spain in March.

Source: G1

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