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Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 Trump threatens to halt trade with Spain over military base access

Trump lashed out after Spain barred the US from using its military bases to carry out strikes on Iran.

* US President Donald Trump has threatened to halt all trade with Spain after the country barred the US from using its military bases as part of an operation in Iran.
* Trump said Spain had been "terrible" and suggested cutting off all trade, stating "we don't want anything to do with Spain".
* It is unclear whether the administration will follow through on the threat or how officials would move to block trade with a European Union member state.
* The US can legally place an embargo on products imported from Spain, but it's unclear if Trump has the authority to unilaterally impose such restrictions.
* The Spanish government said that any review of their trade relationship must respect private company autonomy, international law, and bilateral agreements between the EU and the US.
* Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Trump that Spain is part of the EU and any trade deals with the bloc must include Spain.
* Trade data shows the US exported around $26bn worth of goods to Spain in 2025 and imported around $21bn.
* The row comes amid existing tensions between the two countries over NATO spending and previous threats from Trump to impose economic punishments on Spain.