ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Tensions flared between Washington and Madrid on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with Spain after the country barred American forces from using its military bases for operations linked to Iran.
Speaking at the White House, Trump described Spain as having been “terrible” and warned that the United States could sever commercial ties altogether.
“We’re going to cut off all trade,” he said. “We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
The threat followed Madrid’s decision to deny the US access to military bases in southern Spain for its operation in Iran.
Spanish officials argued that permitting such use would violate the United Nations charter.
Trump insisted he had the authority to impose sweeping trade restrictions, claiming he could “stop everything having to do with Spain, all business having to do with Spain” as early as Tuesday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent backed the president’s position, saying the US could legally place an embargo on Spanish imports.
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However, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer appeared more cautious when pressed on the proposal.
“We’re going to talk about it with you,” he told Trump, adding that any action would be framed around national and economic security considerations.
The White House did not immediately clarify whether concrete steps were being taken to block trade with Spain, a member of the European Union. Any attempt to isolate Spain commercially could prove complicated, as EU rules allow the free movement of goods among its 27 member states.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who met Trump on Tuesday, reminded the US president that Spain is part of the EU and that trade negotiations with the bloc must include all member states.
The latest dispute adds to existing friction between the two countries. Trump has repeatedly criticised Spain for refusing to raise defence spending to 5 per cent of its gross domestic product, a target he has pressed NATO allies to meet.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, recently condemned US and Israeli strikes on Iran as an “unjustified, dangerous military intervention” in breach of international law.
His government reiterated that any review of trade relations must respect international law, EU-US agreements and the autonomy of private companies.
Trade between the two countries remains significant. In 2025, the US exported roughly $26 billion worth of goods to Spain, while imports from Spain totalled about $21 billion, according to US Census Bureau data. Spain’s top exports to the US include pharmaceutical products and olive oil.
Trump also criticised the United Kingdom as being “very uncooperative” over access to military bases but stopped short of threatening trade measures against London.
More developments are expected as diplomatic engagements continue.