President Trump threatened to sever all trade with Spain on Wednesday, calling the NATO member a “terrible partner” after its government refused to let American forces use two Spanish air bases during the ongoing military campaign against Iran.
“Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits,” Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the summit in Antalya, Turkey. “We don’t want anything to do — watch them, watch them come running back.”
Trump singled out Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez by name, calling the country a “wasted cause” and saying he wants to end all contact with Madrid.
“Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate, they don’t pay,” Trump said. “I don’t want anything to do with Spain. They’re open about it. They’re hostile about it.”
Spain’s refusal to grant access to U.S. military bases was the immediate flashpoint, but Trump’s frustration runs deeper. Spain is spending roughly 2% of its GDP on defense, well short of the 5% target Trump has been pressing NATO members to hit. Rutte noted that Spain did increase spending last year, up from 1.4% of GDP in 2021. Trump was not impressed.
The threat came on the second day of the NATO summit, which has already been dominated by Trump’s pressure campaign on European allies to do more on defense spending and to take a harder line on Iran.
Spain’s response through Reuters was measured, with officials characterizing Trump’s comments as typical of the American president. The Spanish government conducts most of its trade through the European Union, complicating any direct U.S. tariff action.
The U.S. and Spain run a small trade surplus in America’s favor. In 2025, the U.S. exported roughly $39 billion in goods to Spain and imported about $35 billion, leaving a $4 billion surplus for the American side.
It was unclear Wednesday how or whether Trump intended to follow through on the trade threat.
