The Spanish government said Wednesday that relations with the United States are beneficial to both countries in trade and security, and that it considers President Trump's statements about cutting trade ties as routine remarks.
This afternoon, the Spanish government issued a brief statement downplaying President Donald Trump's threat to cut all trade ties, calling his remarks routine and emphasizing that US-Spain relations are mutually beneficial. The response comes hours after Trump escalated his attacks on the NATO ally, culminating in a directive to the Treasury to sever all commercial ties.
The Zioneer reported at 12:48 Jerusalem on three developments in quick succession: first, Trump said he would not do business with Spain, calling the country "hopeless" and "bad people"; second, at the NATO summit in Ankara, he called Spain a "terrible partner" that does not pay its NATO contributions, with Israeli public broadcaster Kan reporting the remarks; third, Trump announced he had instructed the Treasury to cut all commercial ties with Spain, calling it a "frightening partner." The sequence moved from a verbal threat to an official directive.
The European Union vowed earlier to protect member states' interests after Trump's threat, as The Zioneer reported at 13:40 Jerusalem. The response from Madrid mirrors the approach taken by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who on Tuesday downplayed the rift with Trump and called for a return to normal relations, as The Zioneer reported.
It remains unclear whether the Treasury will implement the directive, and the Spanish government provided no details on next steps. The dispute also touches on Spain's NATO contribution, which Trump has repeatedly criticized, without an official response from Madrid on that front.
5 developments
- StrongTrump renews trade halt threat against Spain; Madrid unfazed, notes March order had no effect
- DevelopingMeloni says Italy-US relations must return to normal track, downplays rift with Trump
- DevelopingTrump says ties with Netanyahu are 'excellent,' denies frustration
- StrongMarco Rubio says US relations with Oman 'fine', dismisses Hormuz toll system
Source and signal
- Internal intake