Trump Threatens Trade Cutoff with Spain Over Iran Air Base Access
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to halt trade with Spain after Madrid denied the United States access to its military bases for potential operations related to a military offensive against Iran. The escalating dispute has prompted a sharp response from Spanish officials, who insist the U.S. president must respect international trade agreements.
“I told Scott to cut off all dealings with Spain,” Trump said during a meeting at the White House, referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He did not detail how he intended to implement the threat, which could be complicated given the U.S.’s existing trade relationships within the European Union. Trump later suggested he possessed the authority to impose a full embargo on Spanish goods, though he did not explicitly state his intention to do so.
The conflict stems from Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. flights connected to a potential military campaign against Iran to utilize its military bases. Trump characterized Spain as a “terrible” ally in response.
A Spanish government official responded to Trump’s comments, stating that any review of the trade relationship must adhere to international law, bilateral agreements between the EU and the U.S., and the autonomy of private companies. The official also asserted that Spain possesses the resources to mitigate potential economic impacts and support sectors that could be affected by a trade ban.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to address the situation Wednesday at 9 a.m. Madrid time.
The threat of trade restrictions comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following reports of rallies celebrating the death of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
[Embedded YouTube Video: Rallies held in major cities to celebrate news of the death of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZSS6TuFSFU]
This is a developing story.
