President Donald Trump has suggested the United States could halt all trade with Spain, escalating tensions between Washington and Madrid amid disagreements over military access and NATO defence spending commitments.

Speaking at a White House press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump criticized the Spanish government for refusing to allow U.S. aircraft access to its military bases for operations connected to the ongoing U.S.–Israel campaign against Iran.

Trump indicated that the dispute is part of a broader disagreement that began last year when NATO members were pressed to commit to raising defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035. According to Trump, Spain was the only member of NATO that did not align with the proposed target.

The president argued that allies benefiting from U.S. security guarantees must contribute more substantially to collective defence and warned that economic consequences could follow for nations that resist Washington’s strategic priorities.

Spain has not formally responded to the latest remarks, but analysts say a complete halt in trade between the two countries would represent a dramatic escalation with significant economic repercussions for both sides. The United States is one of Spain’s key trading partners, with billions of dollars in goods and services exchanged annually.

The comments come amid heightened global tensions linked to the Iran conflict, as Washington seeks greater operational flexibility and alliance support in the region. Diplomatic observers suggest that negotiations behind closed doors may intensify in an effort to prevent the dispute from spilling into a broader transatlantic rift.