Macron backs Spain after Trump threatens to sever trade

Moscow (ANTARA) – French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to express solidarity and support following threats by the United States to sever its trade agreement with Spain, BFMTV reported, citing the Élysée Palace. On Tuesday 3 March, United States President Donald Trump said he would end all trade with Spain because Spain would not allow the US to use its military bases to attack Iran, and because of its reluctance to increase defence spending. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday 4 March said the Spanish government began cooperating with the US in ‘the last few hours’ after initially refusing to allow the US military to use their bases. On Saturday 28 February, the US and Israel launched a series of strikes against targets inside Iran, including Tehran, with reports of damage and civilian casualties. Iran’s state television confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran then responded to the attacks with missile strikes on Israeli territory and on several US military facilities in the Middle East. Source: Sputnik-OANA Translator: Katriana