Trump orders halt to all trade with Spain

US President Donald Trump has announced that he has instructed his administration's Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, to suspend all forms of trade with Spain. He also described the European country as a "terrible partner" in the NATO military alliance.

Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, on Wednesday (July 8), Trump made the remarks, according to Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera.

"We don't want to have any trade with Spain anymore. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, and they don't pay their share," the U.S. president said.

Last March, Spain made it clear that it would not allow the United States to use any joint military bases on Spanish territory for its ongoing military operations against Iran. Spain also completely closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in or supporting the conflict.

The Trump administration's decision to boycott trade and its unprecedented criticism of Spain's role in NATO reportedly stem from Madrid's refusal to support U.S. military operations. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Meanwhile, Spain's Prime Minister's Office responded swiftly to Trump's announcement, saying Madrid considers the threats to be "part of normal political discourse."

In a statement, the Spanish government said, "Our country enjoys excellent social, cultural, and economic relations with the United States. We have no intention of changing that."