Trump threatens to cut US trade with Spain at NATO summit

US President Donald Trump ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off all trade with Spain during a NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, calling Madrid a "terrible partner" over its refusal to boost defence spending and allow US use of its bases for the Iran war Source: CNASource: Al Jazeera.

What Trump said

Trump, standing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, said Spain was a "wasted cause" and that he wanted "no business with them" Source: Euronews. He criticised Spain for not meeting NATO's 5% GDP defence spending target and for blocking US military access Source: Al Jazeera.

Spain's response

The Spanish government sought to downplay the threat, calling it "business as usual" Source: Al Jazeera. It noted that trade policy in the EU is centralised by the European Commission and that Spain has a trade deficit with the US Source: El Mundo. Pedro Sánchez's team stressed that economic ties are driven by private companies, not governments Source: El Mundo. Spain has already reached 2% of GDP on defence, meeting its current commitments Source: Euronews.

Broader context

Trump also repeated his desire to acquire Greenland from Denmark, saying "we need it for protection of the world" Source: Al Jazeera. The EU warned that Washington must honour its trade obligations with the bloc Source: Al Jazeera.