Spain Faces Trade Threats Amid Military Base Dispute
Spain is currently facing significant trade threats from former President Donald Trump, who has stated, “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.” This statement follows Spain’s refusal to allow the US military to use its bases for operations against Iran, leading to heightened tensions between the two nations.
In a related development, Spain has relocated 15 aircraft, including refuelling tankers, from its military bases in southern Spain. This move underscores the ongoing strain in US-Spain relations, particularly as Spain’s military bases are under Spanish sovereignty but are jointly operated with the US.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned the recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran, labeling them as breaches of international law. He emphasized that the Spanish government insists the US must comply with international law and bilateral trade agreements.
Despite the trade surplus the US has enjoyed with Spain, which reached $4.8 billion in 2025, Trump has criticized Spain, describing it as a “terrible” ally during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration with Spain’s defense spending commitments.
Spain has refused to commit to increasing its defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a request made by Trump. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles reiterated that the use of military bases must comply with international law, stating, “We are not going to lend our bases for anything that is not in the treaty or does not fit within the UN Charter.”
In 2025, US exports to Spain amounted to $26.1 billion, while imports from Spain reached $21.3 billion, highlighting the economic interdependence between the two nations. However, Trump’s threats cast a shadow over these figures.
The Spanish government has warned that any review of the bilateral relationship must respect international law and agreements. As the situation develops, observers are closely monitoring how these tensions will affect trade and military cooperation.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential impacts on trade and military operations as both sides navigate this complex diplomatic landscape.
