Trump Orders Complete Halt to US Trade With Spain at NATO Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday instructed his administration to sever all commercial ties with Spain.

He issued the directive during a NATO summit in Ankara, citing Madrid’s failure to meet alliance obligations.

The mandate was delivered directly to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as Trump sat down with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Trump instructed him to immediately halt commerce and diplomatic visits between the two nations.

"We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way," the president stated. He further described Madrid as a "terrible partner in NATO."

Economic Retaliation

The move aims to financially isolate the European ally. Standing alongside Rutte, Trump insisted Washington would no longer tolerate Spain's strategic decisions.

"Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits," he said. He added that the Spanish leadership would "come running back" in response to economic pressure.

Trump argued that Madrid profits excessively from American markets. "They make so much money with us, and we're going to see that they make a lot less," he remarked.

Spain Responds

The Spanish prime minister's office responded to Trump’s comments, saying that it was treating them as "business as usual."

“Spain has no intention of changing its excellent social, cultural and economic relationship with the United States,” the statement said.

The statement also noted that U.S. benefits more from the trade relations between the two nations than Spain.

“Economic ties are forged by private companies, not governments,” it concluded.

Military Repercussions

Tensions between Washington and Madrid have escalated over defense policy. The Spanish Socialist leadership recently refused to let U.S. forces utilize its airspace and territorial bases during the Iran war.

The European nation also remains opposed to a newly proposed NATO defense expenditure target set at 5 percent of GDP.

"Spain doesn't agree to anything, and you shouldn't carry them," Trump advised Rutte.

The U.S. military currently operates two major installations on Spanish soil. These include Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base.

Retaliatory measures against uncooperative allies have previously been under consideration at the Pentagon.

According to an April internal communication, U.S. defense officials explored potential penalties for nations failing to support the Iran operations, including Spain's formal suspension from the military alliance.