President Trump called Spain a 'lost cause' and said he has instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut trade ties, accusing Madrid of failing to meet NATO spending commitments, according to a report. The directive follows earlier threats that Madrid had dismissed as having no effect.
President Trump escalated his criticism of Spain on Wednesday evening, calling the country a 'lost cause' and instructing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut trade ties, according to a report. The directive came hours after Trump made a similar statement earlier Wednesday, which the Spanish Prime Minister's Office dismissed as 'business as usual,' noting that a comparable order issued in March had no effect.
The earlier statements, reported at 11:13 Jerusalem on Wednesday, included Trump ordering a halt to trade with Spain over NATO obligations, and Spain's dismissive response. Over the course of the morning, multiple reports emerged of Trump's order and Spain's reaction, including the PM's office calling it 'business as usual' and affirming that trade is conducted by private companies. The European Union also vowed to protect member states' interests, as The Zioneer reported.
The exchange is part of a broader pattern of Trump criticism of European allies. The Zioneer reported on June 24 that Trump called Spain a 'shame show' and expressed disappointment with other allies. On July 1, the US ambassador to NATO said Trump was 'disappointed' with Spain, according to a briefing cited by N12.
It remains unclear whether Treasury Secretary Bessent has acted on the latest instruction. Spain has previously noted that trade is conducted by private companies, and the March order had no effect.
9 developments
- DevelopingTrump says he is 'disappointed' with Italy, UK, Germany; calls Spain a 'shame show'
- DevelopingUS ambassador to NATO: Trump disappointed with Spain
- StrongSpain's PM office says US ties 'excellent', treats Trump's directive as 'business as usual'
- DevelopingTrump says he has 'lost it,' patience 'over,' calls for talks: 'let's eat the hat'
Source and signal
- Internal intake