Trump instructs halt to all trade with Spain

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday verbally instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt all trade relations with Spain. Earlier the same day, Trump described Spain as a ‘very bad’ NATO partner and stated that Washington no longer wished to maintain trade ties with Madrid. ‘Spain is a hopeless case. We no longer want to do trade business with Spain. I want you to stop it. I don’t want to deal with Spain anymore. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits,’ Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, turning to Bessent. ‘I don’t want any more trade with them. Execute it immediately. Don’t speak to them. They are beyond hope,’ Trump added. In response to the instruction, Bessent replied simply, ‘Yes, sir.’ Following Trump’s remarks, the EFE news agency reported that the Spanish government affirmed that social, cultural, and economic relations between Spain and the United States remain in excellent shape.