WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly instructed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt trade with Spain, dramatically escalating tensions with one of Washington’s NATO allies over defense spending and broader geopolitical disagreements.
Speaking during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump turned to Bessent and issued a direct verbal instruction to stop commercial ties with Spain.
“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore. I’d like you to cut it out,” Trump said. He went further by adding that he wanted all trade and even visits to Spain halted immediately, telling Bessent, “Take it immediately. Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless.”
Bessent responded, “Yes, sir,” signaling that the administration would examine the president’s directive.
The comments came after Trump earlier criticized Spain as a “terrible” NATO partner, accusing Madrid of failing to meet alliance expectations on defense spending and expressing frustration over Spain’s broader policy positions. The latest remarks mark the second time this year that Trump has threatened sweeping trade action against Spain, although previous threats were not implemented.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Treasury Department is expected to prepare a list of Spanish products that could face trade restrictions or an embargo in the coming days as officials evaluate possible options.
The Spanish government swiftly pushed back against Trump’s comments, stressing that relations with the United States remain strong despite the president’s rhetoric. Spain’s EFE news agency reported that Madrid described social, cultural, and economic ties with Washington as excellent.
Spanish officials also emphasized that, as a member of the European Union, the country’s trade policy is negotiated collectively through Brussels rather than on a bilateral basis, making any unilateral US action against Spain legally and diplomatically complex.
Trade experts noted that a complete embargo on Spain would face significant legal hurdles under US law. Analysts say the president would likely need to invoke emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and demonstrate that Spain poses an extraordinary threat to US national security, foreign policy, or the economy before imposing a comprehensive trade ban.
The dispute also carries broader implications because Spain and the United States maintain extensive economic ties. The US exports tens of billions of dollars in goods to Spain each year while importing products including olive oil, auto parts, chemicals, steel, and wine. American companies also remain among the largest investors in the Spanish economy.
Trump’s latest remarks add another layer of uncertainty to transatlantic relations at a time when NATO members are already navigating disagreements over defense spending, security commitments, and international conflicts. While it remains unclear whether the administration will formally pursue trade restrictions, the president’s public directive has intensified scrutiny of future US policy toward Spain and the wider European Union.
