'Not cooperating at all': Trump calls Spain 'very bad to NATO' and threatens to cut off all trade

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump criticized Spain on Wednesday, March 11, accusing the country of failing to cooperate with NATO and warning that the United States would cut off trade ties. 

The remarks came amid tensions between Washington and Madrid after Spain reportedly barred the United States from using jointly operated military bases on its territory for strikes connected to the conflict with Iran.

Trump said Spain had not contributed sufficiently to NATO’s defense spending goals and suggested that the US could take economic action if the situation did not change. Spanish officials, however, said that diplomatic relations between the two countries remained stable.

Trump criticizes Spain’s NATO role and raises trade threat

Trump sharply criticized Spain’s approach to NATO commitments and military cooperation with the United States.

“I think they're not cooperating at all. Spain? I think they've been very bad, not good at all... they've been very bad to NATO. They get protected, they don't want to pay their fair share...the people of Spain are fantastic. The leadership, not so good,” Trump said.

The president also raised the possibility of economic retaliation, suggesting that the United States could restrict trade with the European country. 

“I think they've been very bad, very bad, not good at all. We may cut off trade with Spain,” Trump said.

The dispute centers partly on Spain’s decision to bar US aircraft from using jointly operated bases in southern Spain for strikes related to the conflict with Iran.

Spain’s government expressed opposition to the military campaign, describing it as “reckless and illegal.”

Trump argued that Spain benefited from NATO’s security guarantees but had resisted calls to increase defense spending.

The president had pushed NATO members to meet a higher spending target of 5% of gross domestic product for defense.

“Spain, first of all, it started when every European nation, at my request, paid 5%, which they should be doing. And everybody was enthusiastic about it, Germany, everybody. And Spain didn't do it,” Trump said.

Earlier, Trump had issued a stronger warning during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House. “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain,” Trump said at the time. “We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”

Spain says diplomatic relations remain normal despite tensions

Spanish officials responded by emphasizing that relations with Washington remained intact and that diplomatic communication continued between the two governments. 

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said earlier this week that ties between the United States and Spain were functioning normally.

According to Albares, both countries’ embassies continuedto maintain regular diplomatic contacts despite disagreements over military cooperation and defense spending.

Spain maintained that its decision regarding US military operations was tied to international legal considerations. 

Officials said jointly operated bases in southern Spain could not be used for actions not covered under the United Nations charter.  

EU officials indicated that they expect the United States to respect existing agreements with the bloc and said that the union would work to protect its economic interests.

Spanish representatives similarly stressed that any review of trade relations needs to comply with international law and existing bilateral agreements between the European Union and the United States.