Trump threatens to halt trade after Spain bans Iran missions

Spanish government forbids US to use bases for missions related to the conflict with Iran, drawing outrage from President Trump and threats to shut down all trade between the two countries.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump lashed out at the Spanish government on Tuesday after Madrid informed Washington that the US would not be permitted to use its military bases in Spain for missions related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

“And now Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases, and that’s alright. We can use their bases if we want. We can just fly in and use it. Nobody is going to tell us not to use it. But we don’t have to,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the White House.

“They were unfriendly, so I told him Spain has absolutely nothing we need, other than great people. They have great people.”

“Spain has been terrible,” Trump said, adding that he has instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Spain.

“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”

As a member state of the European Union, it is unclear how the US would end bilateral trade with Spain.

After their meeting, Merz told reporters that he had warned Trump that following the signing of a trade deal between the US and the EU last year, Spain could not be singled out.

“I said that Spain is a member of the European Union and we negotiate about tariffs with the United States only together or not at all.”

However, Trump said he was adamant that a trade embargo be put in place.

“All business having to do with Spain, I have the right to stop it. Embargoes – do anything ⁠I want with it – and we may do that with Spain.”

The US maintains bases at Rota and Morón in Spain but has faced limits to their use under the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Last year, Madrid announced that it was banning US ships and aircraft carrying military hardware to Israel.