The United States has threatened potential trade action against Spain after Madrid blocked the US from using its military bases at Morón and Rota for operations reportedly linked to Iran.
Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump sharply criticised Spain, describing the country as “terrible” and warning of sweeping economic consequences.
“We’re going to cut off all trade. We don’t want anything to do with Spain. I could tomorrow, or today even better; stop everything having to do with Spain, all business having to do with Spain,” Trump said.
Senior US officials signalled that economic measures were under consideration. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the administration has the legal authority to impose an embargo on Spanish imports if deemed necessary. However, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer adopted a more cautious tone, saying discussions would take place before any decision is made.
“We’re going to talk about it… if you need to use it to assure national and economic security, we’ll do it,” Greer said.
Trump also voiced frustration over Spain’s refusal to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, the benchmark target within the NATO alliance.
Trade between the two nations remains significant. In 2025, the US exported approximately $26 billion worth of goods to Spain and imported around $21 billion, including pharmaceuticals and olive oil.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the government’s stance in a televised address from La Moncloa.
“The question is not if we are on the side of the ayatollahs — nobody is. The question is whether we are in favour of peace and international legality,” Sánchez said.
Madrid maintained that restricting US military access is consistent with the United Nations Charter and international law. The Spanish government also said it is reviewing contingency measures to shield citizens from possible economic repercussions, while reiterating its longstanding anti-war position, referencing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly informed Washington that Spain, as a member of the European Union, must be included in any broader trade negotiations with the bloc.
Spanish officials stressed that any trade discussions must comply with international law, existing bilateral agreements and private-sector autonomy, as uncertainty lingers over whether Washington will proceed with economic action given Spain’s membership in the European Union.
