US President Donald Trump said he has ordered an immediate halt to all US trade with Spain, escalating tensions with the NATO ally over its defense spending and its stance on the conflict with Iran.
Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, Trump accused Spain of failing to meet the alliance’s defense spending commitments and criticized Madrid for refusing to support US military operations against Iran. He said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stop trade with Spain immediately.
The move could face legal and practical obstacles, as trade policy for European Union member states is negotiated collectively by the EU rather than through bilateral agreements with individual countries. Analysts also say any attempt to suspend trade unilaterally could face legal challenges in the United States.
Spain downplayed Trump’s announcement, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government stressing that economic relations between the two countries remain strong and noting that trade matters fall under the European Union’s authority.
Politico reported that Trump’s remarks came during a wider attack on Spain over defense spending and its position on Iran, further exposing divisions within NATO.
