Trump Criticises Spain for Lack of Cooperation with US, Threatens to Halt Trade Relations
President of the United States Donald Trump has again issued sharp criticism against the Spanish government. He accused Madrid of failing to demonstrate adequate cooperation with the United States, and even threatened to terminate trade relations with the European nation.
The statement was delivered by Trump to journalists on Wednesday, 11 March, whilst responding to questions regarding the heating Washington-Madrid relationship.
“No, they are not cooperating. I think they are not cooperative at all. Spain. I think they are very bad, very bad… We may well terminate trade with Spain,” Trump said to journalists when asked about the matter.
Trump also raised Spain’s position within the NATO alliance. According to him, Madrid has been enjoying security protection from NATO whilst not providing proportionate contribution.
He added that Madrid has benefited from NATO protection whilst refusing to pay its fair share, and has behaved in this manner for years.
Tensions between Washington and Madrid had previously escalated following Trump’s statement on 3 March. At that time, he threatened to end all trade relations with Spain.
Earlier on 3 March, Trump stated that the US would end all trade with Spain after Madrid refused to permit US military to use their bases to attack Iran.
Beyond the military base issue, Trump also criticised Spain’s defence budget policy, which he contended was insufficient to meet alliance commitments. Spain maintains a defence spending target of 2 per cent.
The US government had previously stated that Spain was beginning to show a change in attitude. On 4 March, the White House spokesperson mentioned developments in communications between the two nations.
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 US military to use their bases.
However, this claim was immediately disputed by the Spanish government. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez denied the claim and said the government’s position had not changed.
Amid tensions with Washington, Spain’s foreign policy has also come under scrutiny following Madrid’s firm diplomatic stance towards Israel. The Spanish government has permanently withdrawn its ambassador from Israel in protest against Tel Aviv’s policies in the Gaza Strip conflict.
This move represents part of Spain’s increasingly critical stance towards Israeli military operations in Gaza as well as calls for civilian protection and a political solution to the Palestinian conflict. The decision also marks increasing diplomatic pressure from several European nations against Israel.
This situation demonstrates that Spain’s foreign relations are currently in a sensitive phase, both with the United States regarding security and military issues, and with Israel regarding Middle East conflict dynamics.