Spain’s Pedro Sánchez hits back at Trump threat to sever trade saying 'no to war'

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly pushed back against a threat by US President Donald Trump to cut trade ties with Spain, reiterating his government's opposition to war and warning about what he described as a breakdown of international law.

In a 10-minute televised address, Sánchez reflected on ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the Iraq War more than two decades ago.

He said the Spanish government's stance could be summed up simply as "no to war".

Trump's threat followed Spain's refusal to allow the United States to use the jointly operated military bases at Morón and Rota to launch strikes on Iran.

"Spain has been terrible," Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday (3 March).

"We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain," he added.

Merz later said he had told Trump clearly that it was not possible to strike a separate trade agreement with Germany or with the rest of Europe while excluding Spain.

Amid the economic threat from Washington, the Élysée Palace said French President Emmanuel Macron had expressed his "solidarity" with Spain during a phone conversation with Sánchez yesterday (4 March).

António Costa, president of the European Council, also said he had spoken with the Spanish leader to convey the EU's full support.

Trump also criticised Spain for failing to increase its defence spending to 5% of GDP, accusing the country of being a "terrible partner" within NATO.

Earlier this year, Sánchez had already angered Trump by criticising the US military incursion into Venezuela.

Speaking from the prime minister's official residence in Madrid yesterday (4 March), Sánchez said the government was assessing economic measures to protect Spaniards from the consequences of the conflict, although he did not directly mention Trump's trade threat.

"The question is not if we are on the side of the ayatollahs [Iran's clerical rulers] - nobody is. The question is whether we are in favour of peace and international legality," he said.

"You cannot answer one illegality with another, because that is how the great catastrophes of humanity begin."

Sánchez said Spain's position was similar to its stance on Ukraine and Gaza.

He has been a strong critic of Israel's military response following the 2023 attacks by Hamas.

Spain has been one of the most outspoken European governments on the war in Gaza, describing Israel's actions as "genocide" and recognising a Palestinian state earlier than many other EU countries.

This approach aligns with Sánchez's left-wing coalition partners and broadly reflects public opinion in Spain regarding the Middle East.

Looking back at the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Sánchez said the war had failed to achieve its objectives and had worsened conditions for ordinary people.

He warned that attacks on Iran could produce similar economic consequences for millions.

His reference to the Iraq war resonates strongly with Spanish voters.

Spain's support for the invasion under the conservative government of José María Aznar was deeply unpopular and sparked massive anti-war protests.

Many analysts believe that public anger over the war contributed to the Socialist Party's unexpected election victory in March 2004, shortly after Madrid was struck by deadly jihadist bombings.

Sánchez also recalled the meeting of the so-called "Azores trio" — then-US President George W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Aznar — who gathered at a Portuguese base in the Azores shortly before the invasion of Iraq.

He said they had handed Europeans the "gift" of "a more insecure world and worse life".

Sánchez's position differs sharply from that of Merz, who told German television on Tuesday (3 March) that regime change in Iran would leave the world "a little better off", although he acknowledged that it was "not without risk and we would also have to bear the consequences".

Unlike several NATO allies, including the UK, France and Greece, Spain has not committed to any military role in response to the war.

However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on yesterday (4 March) that Spain had "agreed to co-operate" with the US military after hearing Trump's message "loud and clear".

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares strongly rejected that claim, telling local media that his government's position "has not changed one iota".

Beyond the criticism from Washington, Sánchez's coalition government has faced months of intense political pressure at home, fuelling speculation that it could collapse.

The government has struggled to maintain its fragile parliamentary majority, which depends on a mix of left-wing and regional nationalist parties.

Corruption allegations involving several allies and members of Sánchez's inner circle have further weakened his political standing.

Spain's deeply polarised political landscape means that much of the support for Sánchez is driven as much by concerns about the country's right and far-right as by approval of his leadership.

Even so, confronting Trump may bring political advantages for the Socialist leader.

A recent poll by the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) found that 77% of Spaniards had a "bad" or "very bad" opinion of Trump, suggesting that many voters — including some on the right — may support Sánchez on this issue.

Nevertheless, uncertainty remains in Spain over whether Trump's threats could lead to economic retaliation, leaving many Spaniards closely watching developments.