TLDR
- Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain after it banned U.S. aircraft from using its bases for strikes on Iran
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was told to “cut off all dealings with Spain”
- Spain’s PM Sánchez called the U.S.-Israel strikes “unjustified and dangerous” and said Spain won’t be complicit
- Sánchez warned the conflict risks playing “Russian roulette with the destiny of millions”
- The dispute has strained relations between two NATO allies during an active military conflict
Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain on Tuesday after the country blocked U.S. aircraft from using its military bases for strikes against Iran.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! President Trump is now CUTTING OFF all trade with Spain after their leftist PM said to not use bases in their country to strike Iran
"Spain has absolutely nothing we need…we're gonna cut off ALL TRADE with Spain. We don't want ANYTHING to do with Spain."
FAFO!🔥 pic.twitter.com/z6V931JmLW
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 3, 2026
The president said he told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings with Spain.” He added, “I could tomorrow stop, or today… stop everything having to do with Spain.”
Trump made the comments during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House.
U.S. aircraft had already departed Spanish military bases on Monday after Spanish officials said the installations could not be used for offensive operations against Iran.
Trump said Spain does not have “great leadership,” pointing to its resistance to increased NATO defense spending as well as its position on the Iran conflict.
Spain had previously rejected a NATO proposal to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called that target “not only unreasonable but also counterproductive.”
German Chancellor Merz said NATO is “trying to convince Spain” to raise its defense spending in line with the new alliance-wide goal.
Spain Pushes Back on Trump’s Threats
On Wednesday, Sánchez addressed the nation in a televised speech, doubling down on Spain’s opposition to the strikes.
“This is how humanity’s great disasters start,” Sánchez said. “You cannot play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions.”
Sánchez said Spain’s position could be summed up in four words: “No to the war.” He described that stance as consistent with Spain’s values, not a political convenience.
“We’re not going to be complicit in something that’s bad for the world nor contrary to our values and interests simply to avoid reprisals from someone,” he said, in a clear reference to Trump’s trade threats.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed Spain would not allow its bases to be used in operations against Iran, despite supporting democracy and rights for the Iranian people.
The Broader Conflict
The U.S. and Israel began strikes on targets in Iran on Saturday. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed early in the operation.
Trump has said the military campaign could last “four to five weeks,” though he added the U.S. has the capability to continue far longer.
Iran has retaliated with aerial attacks on Israel, U.S. military bases, embassies, and targets in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
At least six U.S. service members have died after an Iranian strike hit a makeshift operations center in Kuwait.
Trump said Tuesday he believed Iran was “going to attack first,” and said he acted to prevent that.
