Trump threatens to cut off trade, tourism with Spain in NATO rift

ANKARA, Turkey — President Trump threatened Wednesday to cut off “all trade” and tourism with Spain — citing Madrid’s refusal to boost military spending and its restrictions on US operations during the Iran war.

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“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore,” Trump declared at a press availability with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of a day of meetings at the alliance’s annual summit.

“Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate, they don’t pay. I don’t want to have anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits… Watch them come running back,” Trump said.

“We don’t have to trade with them. I don’t want to do any more trade with them, alright? Immediately. Don’t talk to them, they’re hopeless, bad people.”

Trump made the remarks ahead of a day of meetings with other leaders, including Spain’s socialist prime minister Pedro Sánchez, who attended a group dinner alongside Trump Tuesday night in the Turkish capital.

“Let’s see how hostile they remain when they call up and they [say], ‘Please, please. We want to trade with you, sir. We want to trade with you, sir,’” Trump added.

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“They make so much money with us and we’re going to see that they make a lot less. I want no business with them.”

The Spanish government has downplayed Trump’s threats — saying it received them with “calm and normality,” Spanish outlet Tribuna Leon reported.

The White House and Treasury Department did not immediately release additional information about possible actions against Spain, and it was not immediately clear how Trump might impose business or travel restrictions.

Trump has significant powers to temporarily impose tariffs, though a Supreme Court ruling in February curtailed his authority, and actions against Spain would likely face legal challenges.

Travel restrictions would be even more exceptional, as nearly 4.5 million Americans visited Spain last year. Currently, the US government only bans Americans from traveling to North Korea. 

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