'No to war': Spanish PM responds to Trump's trade threats over Iran

"No to war."

This was the simple message from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as he pushed back against US President Donald Trump's threats over Spain's stance on Iran.

In an official address in Madrid on Wednesday morning, Sánchez said Spain "will not be complicit" in a military offensive harmful to the world and contrary to its values and interests "simply out of fear of reprisals" from the US president.

The prime minister added that his administration is "studying scenarios and possible measures" to support "households, workers, businesses, and the self-employed" in mitigating any economic impact if necessary.

"People will accuse us of being naïve for doing this, but naïve is thinking that violence is the solution and that blind, servile obedience is a form of leadership," Sánchez said.

The PM argued Spain's stance was "clear and consistent, the same one we have maintained in Ukraine and in Gaza," and, citing Iraq, he warned against repeating "the mistakes of the past." 

Sánchez also expressed his "solidarity with countries attacked illegally by Iran."

Trump: "We're going to cut off all trade with Spain"

Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut all trade with Spain, sharply escalating tensions with a NATO ally after Madrid refused to allow US forces to use Spanish military bases in operations linked to strikes on Iran.

Speaking at the White House alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut off all dealings with Spain."

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

The US president criticized Spain's decision and warned that US military "could use their bases if we want."

"We could just fly in and use them. Nobody's going to tell us not to use them," Trump said.

He also criticised Spanish defence spending, saying "Spain has been terrible," referencing the refusal to meet his demands for higher contributions to NATO.

Spain has "great people," Trump said, "but they don't have great leadership."

Spain has refused to permit the use of jointly operated bases in Rota and Morón for operations connected to strikes on Iran.

EU support

The European Commission said on Wednesday it is "ready to act" to safeguard the interests of the European Union following Trump’s threat to cut trade with Spain.

Asked about Trump's remarks on Tuesday, EU spokesperson Olof Gill reiterated that the commission "will always ensure the full protection of the European Union's interests."

"We express our full solidarity with all member states and all their citizens," he added on Wednesday. 

"We expect the United States to fully honor its commitments," Gill said, referring to the August trade agreement that capped US tariffs on EU goods at 15%.

Illa: Catalonia rejects coercion

Catalan President Salvador Illa warned on Tuesday that Catalonia does not tolerate "coercion" and pledged to defend the interests of Catalonia and its industries following Trump's trade threat.

Speaking at the official Mobile World Congress reception, Illa said his government wants "to trade with everyone," while calling for de-escalation and a resolution "in accordance with international rules."

On the other hand, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of Spain's main opposition party, the conservative People's Party (PP), urged Spain to "preserve" its ties with the United States, warning the country cannot be left "alone and isolated" due to Sánchez’s "political and personal needs."