In a press conference with German Chancellor Fredrich Merz , President Donald Trump berated Spain for refusing to allow the US to use its bases in Spain for attacks on Iran. The US makes use of two major sites in Andalucia Spain, namely the Morón Air Base and the Rota Naval Station. Spain demanded US military assets to leave its territory.
President Trump said that the US could use the sites in Spain even without permission because no one would be able to stop them. He then berated Spain for refusing to increase its defence expenditure to 3 and 5% of its GDP along with other NATO members. Trump ordered his Treasury Secretary to stop trading with Spain, however Spain is an EU-member and the US also has a significant trade surplus with Spain of up to $4.18 billion. Spain also purchases LNG from the US electronic components and equipment and advanced technology.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concurred with President Trump over NATO defence expenditure but defend Spain on trade citing that it is a member of the European Union.
You can watch the full press conference here.
Newsroom
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