MADRID – Spain said the United States should heed international law and bilateral trade agreements with the European Union after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with the country for refusing to allow U.S. military bases for missions related to attacks on Iran.
“We have the necessary resources to limit the possible impact of the U.S. embargo,” the Spanish government said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The United States must comply with international law and the EU-US bilateral trade agreement,” he added.
President Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after the country banned the use of military bases as part of the U.S. operation in Iran.
In comments from the White House, President Trump said Spain was in “terrible” shape and suggested he would “cut off all trade.” “We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
It is unclear whether the Trump administration will follow through on the threat or how authorities will move to block trade with European Union member states.
President Trump’s comments add to existing tensions between the two countries, including the Spanish government’s resistance to his demands for increased defense spending for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally.
Related articles
War enters fifth day, Israel and Iran continue attacks
After the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the attack as a violation of international law. “You can oppose a hateful regime, but you can also oppose unwarranted and dangerous military intervention,” he said, calling for dialogue to end the war against Iran.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Álvarez said on Monday that Madrid would not allow the country’s military bases, which are jointly operated by the United States and Spain but under Spanish sovereignty, to be used to attack Iran.
“Spanish bases are not being used for this operation and will not be used for anything that is not included in the agreement with the United States or in accordance with the United Nations Charter,” Álvarez told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.
The US subsequently relocated 15 aircraft, including refueling tankers, from military bases in Rota and Moron in southern Spain. — Agency
