Trump threatens total trade severance with Spain and criticizes British leadership over Iran war stance

President Trump threatens to sever trade with Spain and slams PM Keir Starmer as "uncooperative" following base access restrictions during the Iran war.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 4:25 PM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

Trade Threats and Diplomatic Ruptures

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to cut all trade ties with Spain, following Madrid's refusal to allow U.S. military forces to utilize Spanish bases for offensive operations against Iran. Trump characterized the Spanish government as "terrible" during a White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The President stated he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to terminate all financial and business dealings with the country, though legal experts have questioned the executive branch's authority to unilaterally halt trade following previous Supreme Court rulings on emergency powers.

The Base Usage Dispute

The left wing Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has maintained that U.S. forces at the Rota naval base and Moron air base may only engage in activities consistent with the United Nations Charter. Sanchez has been a vocal critic of the military intervention in Iran and has called for international dialogue to end the conflict. In response, Trump highlighted Spain’s refusal to meet his proposed NATO defense spending target of five percent of GDP, arguing that the United States currently bears an unfair portion of the alliance's financial burden.

Tensions with the United Kingdom

Trump also directed criticism toward British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating he was "not happy" with the United Kingdom's level of cooperation. While Starmer has permitted the use of bases in Gloucestershire and the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean for "limited defensive purposes," he has restricted the use of UK bases in Cyprus. This decision follows a drone strike on a British base in Cyprus by Iranian forces. Trump specifically criticized the logistical delays caused by these restrictions, noting that U.S. pilots have been forced to fly extra hours to reach authorized landing sites.