Donald Trump has repeated his threat to cut trade with Spain after it refused to allow US forces to use military bases in Andalucia for operations against Iran.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House before boarding Marine One, the US president said he had not changed his position since making the warning last week.
‘I think we will cut all trade with Spain,’ Trump said. ‘Spain is not cooperating in any way. It’s being really bad.’
The remarks refer to Spain’s decision not to allow the US to use the military bases at Rota (Cadiz) and Moron (Sevilla) to launch attacks against Iran.
So far, Spain’s only contribution to the growing European military response to the conflict has been the deployment of the Spanish frigate Cristobal Colon to Cyprus in support of the UK.
Spain’s defence minister Margarita Robles has also made clear that Spanish involvement would be limited to defensive actions.
Trump also renewed criticism of Spain over defence spending within NATO.
‘I don’t know what they’re doing,’ he said. ‘Spain has been very bad with NATO. NATO protects them, but they don’t want to pay what’s fair. They’ve been doing that for years.’
The US president has repeatedly called for NATO members to spend 5% of their GDP on defence.
Spain, meanwhile, maintains that its goal of spending around 2% of GDP on defence strikes a balance between security commitments and maintaining its social welfare system.
Despite his criticism of the Spanish government, Trump attempted to soften his comments with a brief remark about the country.
‘Let me give you some good news: the Spanish people are fantastic,’ he said with a smile, before adding: ‘Their leaders, not so much.’
The Spanish government has not yet formally responded to the renewed threat.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said previously: ‘Our policy can be summed up in four words: no to war.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
