US Cuts Trade Ties with Spain Over Military Base Dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a complete cutoff of trade with Spain after the country refused to allow U.S. military bases to be used for missions targeting Iran. The strain highlights ongoing tensions over defense spending and migration issues between the two countries.

In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that the United States would end all trade with Spain. This decision follows Spain's refusal to let U.S. military bases within its borders be used for missions targeting Iran.

During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump described Spain's actions as 'terrible' and instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to sever all trade relations. 'We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain,' Trump asserted.

The U.S. had already relocated 15 aircraft from the Rota and Moron military bases after Spain, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist government, deemed the offensive on Iran beyond its agreement with the U.S. and contrary to the UN Charter. The tension between the two countries is compounded by disputes over migration policies and defense spending commitments.

(With inputs from agencies.)