Donald Trump unexpectedly altered his rhetoric while aboard the plane returning to Washington, praising Spain for its position at the summit. This shift came after he sharply criticized Spain earlier that same day, on Wednesday, in Ankara, where he raised the issue of potential trade restrictions.
According to Trump, such measures could serve as punishment for Spain’s refusal to increase defense spending to 5% and the decision by Pedro Sanchez‘s government not to allow the use of bases in Rota and Moron for military operations against Iran. “Spain is a hopeless case. We no longer want to conduct any commercial business with Spain,” stated Donald Trump, adding: “By the way, I would like you to formalize this, Scott,” addressing US Secretary of Finance Scott Bessent.
Harsh Criticism and Threats
Donald Trump continued his criticism, calling Spain “a terrible NATO ally” that “does not participate, does not pay.” “I do not want to have anything to do with Spain. Stop all trade with Spain, please, including visits. We do not want to have anything to do with them,” he insisted. Trump also urged: “Do it immediately. Do not even talk to them. They are incorrigible. They are bad people.”
The president of the USA noted that “everyone else pays and works,” particularly highlighting Spain, although he mentioned “a few more countries.” He claimed that Spain “openly states that it is hostile,” suggesting that they would later call, saying: “Please, please, we want to trade with you, sir. We want to trade with you, sir.” Trump added: “They make a lot of money from us, and we will make them earn much less. I do not want to have any dealings with them.”
This is not the first time that Trump has made such statements. Since the NATO summit in The Hague last year, he has criticized Spain more than half a dozen times, hinting at or threatening to “exclude” the country from the Alliance and stating that it “probably deserves economic and tariff measures.” In March, he went further, threatening to “tear up all agreements” or “relations” and admitting the possibility of an “embargo” against the “terrible” and “hostile” ally.
Despite the public outbursts, Pedro Sanchez stated that his personal conversation with Trump that day was “cordial” and focused on the “World Cup and golf.” Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether the American president’s statements will have practical consequences.
Unexpected Change in Rhetoric
Responding to journalists’ questions aboard the plane returning to Washington, Donald Trump praised Spain’s position at the summit. “I will say that I have had problems with Spain, and they still exist, but today Spain completely changed its position. Spain was very generous today…” he stated.
Trump added that Spain “responded to the request to make a very important payment,” and if this had not occurred, “we would not even be talking to them.”
His critical statements were made in the morning, before he spoke with President Pedro Sanchez. After the meeting, the American president’s rhetoric noticeably shifted. “In my opinion, they behaved very badly, but today at the meeting there was great unity, enormous unity. It was very pleasant,” Trump summarized.
Source: El Mundo
