US President Trump Orders Halt to Trade with Spain

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut all trade with Spain, announcing the decision at a NATO summit in Ankara. Trump criticized Spain as a 'terrible partner' within the Western military alliance, noting that Madrid is the only NATO member that has refused to commit to raising defense spending to 5% of its GDP. Additionally, Spain's left-of-center government declined to permit the US to use its airspace or bases for military operations against Iran. Addressing NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said, 'Spain doesn't agree to anything, and you shouldn't drag it along.' Turning to Bessent, he stated, 'I don't want any trade with them, understand?' Bessent replied, 'Yes, sir.' Trump added, 'Take care of it immediately. Don't even talk to them. They are hopeless. They are bad people. They make so much money off us, and we'll make sure they make a lot less. I don't want any business ties with them.' The US maintains two major military bases in Spain: Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base. In April, a US official told Reuters about an internal Pentagon memo outlining possible measures against NATO allies who, in Washington's view, failed to support US operations in the war with Iran. One of the measures was suspending Spain's NATO membership. Trump made a similar announcement about ending trade with Spain in March. According to US trade data, in 2025 the US exported $26 billion worth of goods to Spain and imported $21 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of about $5 billion. Spain, the world's largest exporter of olive oil, also supplies the US with auto parts, steel, and chemical products.