Former President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain during a NATO summit, calling the ally a "wasted cause" for refusing to commit to the alliance's new defense spending benchmark. Trump's remarks targeted Spain specifically, urging an immediate cessation of all trade and business dealings.
The comments came after NATO leaders agreed on a new target for members to invest 5% of their gross domestic product in defense. Spain was the sole member to publicly decline commitment to the full target, instead seeking flexibility in meeting NATO capability goals. Trump asserted that Spain had benefited from the alliance without contributing its fair share.
"Spain is a wasted cause," Trump stated. "We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way." He further elaborated, "Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits." Trump also predicted that Spain would eventually seek to re-establish trade relations with the United States.
This stance represents an escalation of Trump's long-standing criticism of NATO allies for their defense spending levels. Throughout his previous administrations, he has argued that nations not meeting alliance spending commitments rely unfairly on the U.S. for security.
Any significant trade restrictions with Spain could face legal and diplomatic challenges. As a member of the European Union, Spain's trade policy is negotiated by the bloc as a customs union, rather than through individual bilateral agreements. It remained unclear whether Trump's statements constituted a formal policy directive or an expression of frustration, as the White House had not immediately provided details on potential trade restrictions.
The U.S. and Spain maintain a substantial trade relationship, with approximately $47 billion in goods traded in 2025. U.S. exports to Spain totaled about $26 billion, while imports from Spain were around $21 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Spanish exports to the U.S. include pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, and food, while U.S. exports to Spain consist of energy products, machinery, aerospace equipment, and chemicals.
Trump's criticism of Spain also follows recent friction between Washington and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Earlier in 2026, Sánchez characterized a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran as an "extraordinary mistake" and called for de-escalation. Spain also denied U.S. use of the Rota Naval Base and Morón Air Base for operations against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, citing a lack of international legal backing and unilateral military action concerns.