Trump says US will cut trade with Spain amid military base dispute
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States would cut off trade with Spain after the country refused to allow US military bases on its territory to be used for missions linked to strikes on Iran, news agencies reported.
US President Donald Trump.Photo: EPA/SAMUEL CORUM
"Spain has been terrible," Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut off all dealings" with Spain.
"We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain," Trump said.
The United States relocated 15 aircraft, including refuelling tankers, from the Rota and Morón military bases in southern Spain after the country’s Socialist-led government said the facilities could not be used to carry out attacks on Iran, the Reuters news agency reported.
Trump also criticised Spain for not heeding US calls for NATO members to increase defence spending to 5 percent of GDP.
"Spain has absolutely nothing that we need," he said, adding that he had the authority to halt business with the country and impose an embargo if he chose to do so.
Spain’s government said in a statement that Washington must respect the autonomy of private businesses, international law and existing trade agreements between the United States and the European Union, Reuters reported.
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Source: Reuters, PAP