Spain faces trade threats from Trump over military base usage
Tensions between Spain and the United States have escalated as former President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain. This warning follows Spain’s refusal to allow the U.S. to use its military bases for operations against Iran.
In a statement, Trump declared, “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.” This remark has raised concerns about the potential impact on the trade relationship between the two nations, especially given that the U.S. had a trade surplus with Spain for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, amounting to $4.8 billion.
Spain has recently relocated 15 aircraft, including refueling tankers, from its military bases in southern Spain, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining sovereignty over these installations. The Spanish government has reiterated that the U.S. must comply with international law and existing bilateral trade agreements with the European Union.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. and Israel’s military actions in Iran, labeling them as breaches of international law. In response to Trump’s threats, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated, “Spanish bases are not being used for this operation, and they will not be used for anything not included in the agreement with the United States, or for anything that is not in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”
Trump’s criticism of Spain also included remarks about the country’s defense spending, as he expressed dissatisfaction with Spain’s commitment to increase military expenditure to 5% of GDP by 2035, a target set by NATO.
Spain is a significant player in international trade, being the world’s top exporter of olive oil and also exporting auto parts, steel, and chemicals to the U.S. In 2025, U.S. exports to Spain reached $26.1 billion, while imports from Spain totaled $21.3 billion.
The European Commission’s Trade spokesperson emphasized the importance of respecting trade commitments with the U.S., highlighting the delicate balance that Spain must navigate in its foreign relations.
As the situation evolves, observers are closely monitoring the potential ramifications of Trump’s threats on Spain’s economy and its international standing. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any immediate changes to trade policies or military agreements.
