US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to halt all trade with Spain after Madrid declined to allow US aircraft to use its military bases for strikes on Iran. He also criticised Britain for what he described as limited cooperation.
Spain’s leftist administration under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez — a vocal European critic of Trump — maintained that US forces could only use Spanish bases for operations consistent with the United Nations Charter.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House.
Trump further criticised Sanchez for refusing to join NATO allies in committing to raise defence spending to five per cent of GDP — a target Trump has strongly advocated, arguing that Washington shoulders too much of the alliance’s costs.
“So we’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” Trump said, adding that he had directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to suspend economic dealings with Madrid.
However, it remains uncertain what authority Trump would have to terminate trade with Spain, especially after the US Supreme Court invalidated his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs. Reflecting on the matter, the 79-year-old former property developer asserted that he could stop all business ties with Spain “tomorrow — or today,” claiming broad executive authority.
The Spanish government swiftly responded, describing its trade relationship with the United States as “mutually beneficial.” It said any review of bilateral ties must respect private sector autonomy, international law and agreements between the European Union and Washington.
Madrid also stressed that it had the capacity to mitigate potential economic impacts, support affected industries and diversify supply chains if necessary.
Sanchez has consistently called for diplomacy to resolve tensions with Iran, arguing that opposing a repressive regime does not justify what he termed a dangerous and unwarranted military intervention. He has also been a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accusing it of genocide — an allegation Israel denies.
US forces currently operate from Spain’s Rota naval base and Morón air base. Spain previously supported the United States during the 2003 invasion of Iraq under then–Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.
‘Not happy’ with Britain
Trump also expressed frustration with Britain, a long-time US ally, after London declined to join military action against Iran.
“I’m not happy with the UK,” Trump said, adding in reference to Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
Starmer clarified that US fighter jets could use two UK bases — one in Gloucestershire and the joint UK-US base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean strictly for “specific and limited defensive” purposes. However, he said US forces were not authorised to use British bases in Cyprus, including one reportedly targeted by an Iranian-made drone.
Trump complained about delays in securing landing access at Diego Garcia and criticised Starmer’s agreement to return the Chagos Islands — home to the Diego Garcia base — to Mauritius under a lease arrangement.
“I will say the UK has been very, very uncooperative with that stupid island that they have,” Trump said.
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