---
title: "Trump Demands End to Trade with Spain: 'They Are a Terrible NATO Partner'"
description: "🇺🇸 Trump demands an end to trade with Spain, calling it a 'terrible NATO partner'. 🇪🇸 Madrid reacts calmly: 'It's business as usual'. The conflict escalated due to military bases and defense spending."
date: 2026-07-08T09:58:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/trump-demands-end-to-trade-with-spain-terrible-nato-partner
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Trump Demands End to Trade with Spain: 'They Are a Terrible NATO Partner'

![Donald Trump in a suit with an American flag pin discussing trade relations with Spain and its role in NATO](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/09/tramp-trebuet-prekratit-torgovlyu-s-ispaniey-ona-uzhasnyy-partner-v-nato/tramp-trebuet-prekratit-torgovlyu-s-ispaniey-ona-uzhasnyy-partner-v-nato-1.webp)

US President Donald Trump, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, made sharp remarks about relations with Spain. According to him, Madrid is a 'terrible partner' in the alliance, and Washington no longer intends to trade with it.

### 'They Don't Pay and Don't Participate'

The American leader stated that Spain is not fulfilling its obligations to NATO, specifically failing to invest 2% of GDP in defense as required by the alliance's old standards. 'They do not participate. They do not pay. I do not want to have anything to do with Spain. Please stop any trade with Spain,' Trump said, addressing those present.

He also emphasized that Spain 'makes so much money with us,' but he 'cares about making them earn much less.' 'We do not necessarily have to trade with them. I do not want to trade with them anymore. Make this decision immediately. Do not even talk to them. They are hopeless bad people,' the US President added.

### Political Conflict and Military Bases

The cause of such harsh rhetoric was not only economic disagreements but also political ones. Spain previously refused the US permission to use jointly managed military bases on its territory for a possible attack on Iran. As a result, American aircraft were withdrawn from Spanish airfields.

Spanish authorities stated that unilateral military actions outside the framework of the UN Charter only intensify the 'spiral of violence' and lack a clear strategic goal. Furthermore, last year Madrid rejected the US demand to increase NATO countries' defense spending to 5% of GDP. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that Europe's future should be built on unity and compliance with international law, not militarization.

### Spain's Reaction: 'Business as Usual'

The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez quickly reacted to Trump's comments. They stated that they perceive them as 'business as usual.' It was emphasized that Spain has strong 'social, cultural, and economic ties' with the US and does not intend to change them.

Thus, despite sharp statements from Washington, Madrid maintains its course on preserving partnership with the US, relying on long-term interests and diplomatic stability.