Donald Trump has threatened to cut off all US trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow American forces to use its military bases for operations linked to strikes on Iran.

In a dramatic escalation, the US president said he had ordered officials to begin severing economic ties, accusing Spain of being “terrible” and failing its NATO obligations.

‘We Don’t Want Anything to Do With Spain’

Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Madrid.

“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain,” he declared. “All business having to do with Spain, I have the right to stop it. Embargoes — do anything I want.”

The threat followed Spain’s refusal to let US aircraft operate from the Rota and Morón bases in support of Iran-related strikes.

Defence Spending Flashpoint

Trump renewed pressure on NATO allies to spend 5% of GDP on defence, singling out Spain as the lone holdout. “Spain has absolutely nothing that we need,” he said.

Merz confirmed European leaders were pushing Madrid to meet a 3–3.5% spending target agreed within the alliance. Spain remains governed by Socialist prime minister Pedro Sánchez, one of Europe’s few remaining left-leaning leaders.

Legal Showdown Looms

Bessent said the US Trade Representative and Commerce Department would examine penalties. Though the Supreme Court recently curbed Trump’s tariff powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, he insisted it “reaffirmed” his authority to impose a full embargo.

The 1977 law has previously underpinned sanctions against Iran, Russia and North Korea.

Madrid Pushes Back

Spain responded that Washington must respect private enterprise, international law and EU-US trade agreements. Officials said contingency plans were in place to shield affected sectors.

Spain exports olive oil, steel, auto parts and chemicals to the US. But America ran a $4.8bn trade surplus with Spain last year — complicating Trump’s claim that the relationship is one-sided.

The standoff now threatens to spill from military co-operation into a full-blown transatlantic trade war.

Trump says US will cut all trade with Spain over military bases, defence spending

It's about time we all cut off all trade with America. Under Trump its become a pariah along with the likes of North Korea and Russia.

2 minutes ago, Bannoi said:

It's about time we all cut off all trade with America. Under Trump its become a pariah along with the likes of North Korea and Russia.

Tragically for decent Americans,. the "Axis of Evil" is US.

I just looked up how to say "Go fork a duck" in Spanish". Vete a la mierda con un pato.

Trump can sometimes be really thick at times. It's been explained to him many times that Spain, France, and even Germany do not have seperate trade deals with the USA. The USA has a trade deal with the European Union (which Spain is a member off). Trump cannot selectively put tarrifs on any one single country in the EU - he would have to put in on the whole block.

Trump cannot stop companies in the US buying Spanish products, eg the top export is olive oil.

This is why it is imperative in this day and age with America being no neighbours of Europe, for the UK to get into the EU for protection.

Buh-bye. Adios. Now <deleted> off!