President Donald Trump announced plans to suspend all bilateral trade with Spain, escalating a public dispute over allied defence spending during a NATO summit in Ankara.
Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump dismissed Spain as a "lost cause" and a "terrible partner" within the alliance. He singled out Madrid's refusal to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP and suggested expelling Spain from NATO over what he called inadequate financial contributions. The U.S. president has reportedly instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to enforce the trade stoppage.
The rupture follows Madrid's earlier refusal to allow U.S. forces to use Spanish military bases in connection with the war in Iran, a stance shared by several European nations.