U.S.-Spain tensions escalated after President Donald Trump sharply criticized Madrid for refusing to cooperate with U.S. military operations against Iran. The dispute centers on Spain’s reported decision not to allow American forces to use its bases during the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
“Spain has been terrible,” President Trump said on March 3 in the Oval Office. “Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases. … They were unfriendly.” Trump added that “Spain has been very, very uncooperative,” highlighting frustration within the administration over what officials view as a lack of allied support.
The president also signaled potential economic consequences. Trump said he instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings with Spain.” He added, “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” while also noting Spain’s refusal to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, a benchmark other NATO allies have reportedly accepted.
Spanish officials pushed back against reports suggesting they might assist in regional defense efforts. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Cadena Ser radio that “the Spanish government’s position on the war in the Middle East … and the use of our bases has not changed at all.”
Spain did release a statement condemning Iranian attacks on Turkey and Qatar but avoided condemning Iranian strikes on Israel. The government instead emphasized diplomacy, stating that Spain “reiterates its commitment to a return to diplomacy and dialogue for urgent de-escalation, which will enable work to be done to ensure the security and stability of the region.”
The dispute has also rattled financial markets. Shares of Banco Santander fell significantly after Trump’s remarks, complicating the bank’s pending $12.2 billion acquisition of Connecticut-based Webster Bank. The diplomatic clash now raises broader questions about NATO unity and the future of U.S.–Spain relations.
