Trump criticises Spain for lack of cooperation, US threatens to sever trade relations

Washington (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (11 March) criticised Spain for failing to cooperate with the United States and reiterated his threats to sever trade relations with the country.

“No, they are not cooperating. I think they are not cooperative at all. Spain. I think they are very bad, very bad… We might stop trade with Spain,” Trump told reporters when asked about the matter.

He added that Madrid benefits from NATO protection while refusing to pay its fair share, and has behaved in this manner for years.

Earlier on 3 March, Trump stated that the US would end all trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow American military forces to use their bases to strike Iran.

Additionally, Trump was also troubled by Spain’s decision to maintain defence spending targets of 2 per cent.

On 4 March, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Spanish government had begun cooperating with the US “in recent hours” after initially refusing to allow American military forces to use their bases.

However, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez denied these claims and stated that the government’s position had not changed.