President Trump Vows Trade Embargo Against Spain Over Military Base Dispute

President Trump announced plans to end all trade with Spain during an Oval Office meeting Tuesday, citing the country's refusal to allow U.S. use of joint military bases for Iran operations. The threat comes after Spain's foreign minister said the bases couldn't be used for strikes not authorized by the UN.

WASHINGTON — During a Tuesday meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump declared his intention to halt all commercial relations with Spain, expressing frustration over the nation’s stance regarding recent U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran and its reluctance to boost NATO defense expenditures.

Speaking to media during his Oval Office session with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump stated: “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”

The president’s remarks followed Monday’s announcement by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who declared that Spain would prohibit American forces from utilizing jointly-operated military installations in southern Spain for any military actions not sanctioned by United Nations charter provisions. Albares confirmed that these shared facilities were not involved in the recent weekend assault on Iran.

The feasibility of Trump’s proposed trade cutoff remains questionable, as Spain operates under European Union trade frameworks. The EU conducts trade negotiations for all 27 member nations collectively.

A representative from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration responded Tuesday, stating: “If the U.S. administration wishes to review the trade agreement, it must do so respecting the autonomy of private companies, international law, and bilateral agreements between the European Union and the United States.”

This represents another example of Trump using trade restrictions as diplomatic leverage, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned his broad international tariff policies. Although the court determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act doesn’t grant presidential authority for unilateral comprehensive tariffs, Trump now argues the decision permits him to enforce complete trade embargoes against selected countries.

Trump also renewed his criticism of Spain’s 2023 withdrawal from NATO’s 5% defense spending commitment. Spain had indicated it could achieve necessary military readiness by allocating 2.1% of its gross domestic product, a position Trump previously condemned and threatened with tariff measures.

Regarding NATO expenditures, Trump claimed Spain represents “the only country that in NATO would not agree to go up to 5%” in defense spending. “I don’t think they agreed to go up to anything. They wanted to keep it at 2% and they don’t pay the 2%.”

Chancellor Merz supported Trump’s assessment, saying: “We are trying to convince them that this is a part of our common security, that we all have to comply with this.”

Spain defended its NATO participation Tuesday, with Sánchez’s spokesperson asserting the country remains “a key member of NATO, fulfilling its commitments and making a significant contribution to the defense of European territory.”

During the White House meeting, Trump sought input from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding presidential embargo powers.

Bessent responded: “I agree that the Supreme Court reaffirmed your ability to implement an embargo.” He added that the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Department would “begin investigations and we’ll move forward with those.”

Treasury Department officials did not provide additional commentary when contacted by The Associated Press.

Prime Minister Sánchez has condemned the American and Israeli military strikes against Iran, characterizing the intervention as “unjustifiable” and “dangerous.” His administration has called for immediate conflict de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue while also criticizing Iran’s regional attacks.

Trump commented on Spain’s leadership, saying: “Spain has absolutely nothing that we need other than great people. They have great people, but they don’t have great leadership.”

The military base controversy represents the most recent tension between Spain and the Trump administration. Under Sánchez’s leadership as Europe’s remaining major progressive head of government, Spain has also been a vocal opponent of Israel’s Gaza military campaign.