President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will halt all trade with Spain, escalating tensions as international fallout continues from the U.S.-led strikes on Iran. The move comes after Spain refused to allow the U.S. Air Force to use Spanish bases in operations against Iran, a decision Trump sharply criticized.
Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “We’ll break off all trade with Spain, we have nothing to do with them.” He went on to suggest the U.S. Can operate without Spanish support, stating, “It’s okay, we don’t need their bases. Frankly, we use their bases when we seek to. We just fly in, and that’s it. Nobody can notify us not to use [their bases].”
The President asserted his authority to suspend all business activity between the U.S. And Spain, consulting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who confirmed the President’s ability to impose tariffs. This development underscores growing strains in transatlantic relations as the conflict in the Middle East widens.
While acknowledging some European nations have been helpful in the wake of the military action, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the United Kingdom, which also denied the U.S. Access to its Diego Garcia airbase in the Indian Ocean for attacks on Iran.
The Spanish government responded with a statement emphasizing that any revision of relations with the United States must be conducted “with respect for the autonomy of private companies, international law, and the bilateral agreements between the European Union and the United States.” Madrid affirmed its commitment to free trade and economic cooperation based on mutual respect and adherence to international law, stating, “Because citizens want and deserve more well-being, not more problems.”
Trump’s comments came during his first public response to questions from reporters since the U.S. And Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to early reports, the strikes are believed to have killed approximately 40 Iranian officials. The President has primarily communicated through social media since the start of the conflict, as detailed in reporting from the Associated Press. The New York Times reported that Trump had previously only given interviews by phone.
Further details from President Trump’s press briefing can be found in our ongoing coverage of the American-Israeli attacks against the Tehran regime.
This article has been updated with a statement from the Spanish government.
