President Trump on Wednesday threatened to cut off all trade and tourism with Spain, citing the nation's refusal to increase military spending and its imposition of restrictions on U.S. military operations.
"Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," Trump stated during a press availability in Ankara, Turkey, alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "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."
Trump expressed his frustration, adding, "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 hopelessly bad people."
He further elaborated on his stance, suggesting that Spain would eventually seek renewed economic ties once its access to U.S. trade is removed. "Let’s see how hostile they remain when they call up and they, ‘Please, please. We want to trade with you, sir. We want to trade with you, sir.’ 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, according to Spanish outlet Tribuna Leon, has downplayed Trump's threats, stating they were received with "calm and normality."