Diplomatic tension between the United States and Spain over defense and military cooperation

Following a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Donald Trump publicly criticized the Spanish government, labeling its behavior as unacceptable. Trump stated he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt all transactions with Spain, claiming the country refuses to increase its defense spending to 5% of GDP as requested from NATO allies. While the White House asserted that Spain had agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military, the Spanish government immediately denied this, stating its position on military bases remains unchanged. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares clarified that no new agreement has been reached regarding the war or the use of bases. The Spanish government reaffirmed its role as a key NATO member and reliable trade partner to 195 countries, including the United States. Madrid emphasized that any potential review of bilateral trade must occur through formal channels. The dispute remains unresolved with conflicting reports on the state of military coordination.