President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt trade with Spain over its failure to meet NATO obligations, according to N12. The report noted that the same directive was issued in March with no effect, and trade between the two countries has continued as usual.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt trade with Spain over its failure to meet NATO obligations, according to N12. The report noted that the same directive was issued in March without effect, and trade between the two countries has continued as usual. The statement comes hours after a series of escalating remarks from Trump earlier today.
The first reports of Trump's actions emerged at 11:13 Jerusalem, when he said he had cut ties with Spain and warned of no trade deals. Minutes later, he called for cutting all trade ties including visits, and criticized Spain's treatment of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. By 11:13, he had instructed his staff to sever all business dealings, calling Spain 'hopeless' and 'bad people.' The Spanish Prime Minister's Office responded each time by dismissing the directives as 'business as usual,' noting that the same order was given in March without effect. At 14:24 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Spain again downplayed the order, reiterating the March precedent and stating that trade is conducted by private companies, not governments. The European Union also vowed to protect member states' interests.
The wider context includes Trump's repeated pressure on NATO allies to meet the 5% GDP defense spending target, which he said a year ago was agreed but most have not met, as The Zioneer reported on June 24. The US ambassador to NATO expressed Trump's disappointment with Spain on July 1. Spain's government earlier Wednesday said that relations with the United States remain beneficial to both countries.
It remains unclear whether the latest directive will be implemented. The same order in March produced no change, and Spain has consistently treated the threats as routine. No action from the Treasury Department has been reported.
8 developments
- StrongSpain's PM office says US ties 'excellent', treats Trump's directive as 'business as usual'
- DevelopingTrump threatens to not renew USMCA trade deal with Canada and Mexico
- DevelopingUS ambassador to NATO: Trump disappointed with Spain
- DevelopingTrump says he is 'disappointed' with Italy, UK, Germany; calls Spain a 'shame show'
Source and signal
- Internal intake