President Donald Trump escalated his long-running feud with Spain on Wednesday, calling for a complete cessation of all trade between the United States and the European nation. Speaking from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump accused Spain of being a "wasted cause" and a "terrible partner" within the alliance.
"We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," Trump declared while seated alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He added, "Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits." The president predicted that such a move would force Madrid to reverse course: "Watch them come running back. Oh they'll come running back."
Trump's outburst centered on Spain's defense spending, which he argued falls far short of NATO targets. The alliance has agreed to a 3.5 percent of GDP goal by 2035, but Trump has pressed for 5 percent. Currently, only five of NATO's 32 members are projected to meet even the higher benchmark this year.
The president also accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of treating Rutte "terribly" and suggested that Madrid free-rides on NATO's collective security. "You sort automatically carry [Spain] because you're protecting an area," Trump told Rutte, implying Spain assumes protection is guaranteed regardless of its contribution.
Spain's response has been notably restrained. Sanchez's office characterized Trump's remarks as "business as usual" and emphasized that trade relations with the US remain "excellent." That stance reflects a broader pattern of Madrid pushing back against Washington's demands, especially regarding military cooperation.
A key flashpoint has been Spain's refusal to allow the US to jointly use its military bases for operations related to the war in Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized European allies for insufficient support in that conflict, and Spain has been among the most vocal critics of his administration's approach. In April, Trump posted on Truth Social that Spain's "financial numbers, despite contributing almost nothing to NATO and their military defense, are absolutely horrendous."
Trump's latest salvo comes as he continues to pressure NATO allies on multiple fronts. At the summit, he also revived calls for the US to purchase Greenland, a move that has strained alliance unity. The trade threat against Spain adds another layer of tension to what was already a fraught gathering, as detailed in our analysis of five key flashpoints from the Turkey summit.
The president's demand for a trade cutoff is not backed by any formal policy mechanism—such decisions would typically require congressional action or executive orders under trade law—but it signals a deepening rift between Washington and Madrid. Trump's broader frustration with NATO spending has been a hallmark of his foreign policy, and Spain has become a frequent target.
Whether the threat translates into actual economic retaliation remains uncertain. But for now, the president's words underscore his willingness to publicly confront allies he views as shirking their obligations, even as his administration conducts major strikes in Iran and declares interim deals "dead" after clashes with Tehran.
