Spain Rebuts Trump's Threats Over NATO and Trade Dispute
Spain's PM responds to Trump's extraordinary threats to cut trade over Spain's refusal to allow use of military bases for Iran strikes, citing EU trade policy.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to give a statement shortly in Madrid responding to Donald Trump's threats to cut off all trade with Spain over its refusal to allow two jointly operated bases in its territory to be used in the U.S.'s ongoing strikes against Iran.
Sánchez is expected to emphasize that it is not currently possible to establish trade reprisals or separate trade relations, as the trade negotiations of each EU member state are the responsibility of the European Commission, not individual countries. He will also note that this situation is very similar to Trump's recent threats regarding Greenland, which prompted an immediate reaction from Spain's EU partners and the European Commission.
Sánchez will likely argue that Trump's destabilizing and tension-generating way of communicating about trade and foreign policy is concerning, and that Spain remains committed to its responsibilities as a member of the European Union.
The dispute centers around Spain's refusal to allow the use of two military bases it jointly operates with the U.S. for strikes against Iran. Trump had threatened to impose severe trade penalties on Spain if it did not comply with the U.S. requests. However, Sánchez will emphasize that EU trade policy precludes individual member states from establishing separate trade deals or retaliatory measures.
This latest confrontation is just the latest in a series of tensions between the Trump administration and its European allies over issues ranging from trade to defense spending to foreign policy. Sánchez's statement is aimed at reaffirming Spain's commitment to the European Union and pushing back against Trump's unilateral approach.
The episode highlights the challenges facing the transatlantic alliance as the U.S. and its European partners grapple with diverging priorities and Trump's disruptive negotiating tactics. Sánchez will likely call for a return to more constructive dialogue and cooperation to resolve these disputes.
Source: The Guardian
