Relations between Spain and the United States are continuing “normally” despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose trade restrictions, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Tuesday.
The tensions arose after Spain, under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, opposed the U.S.-Israeli offensive on Iran, labeling it reckless and illegal, and barred American aircraft from using jointly operated bases in southern Spain for operations against Tehran. Trump responded with threats of a full trade embargo and criticized Spain for not meeting NATO’s new defense spending target of 5% of GDP.
Albares reassured reporters that diplomatic channels remain open. “Our embassy in Washington is operating normally and has all the contacts it should have as usual,” he said, adding that the U.S. embassy in Madrid is also functioning without disruption.
The minister dismissed remarks by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, who suggested relocating American air bases to countries more cooperative with U.S. military operations. Albares said there had been no formal U.S. contact regarding Spain’s NATO bases in Rota and Moron de la Frontera, which are critical hubs for air-to-air refueling and intercontinental transit.
Albares also criticized a potential Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon, calling it a “tremendous” mistake, and urged the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia to halt rocket attacks toward Israel. Spain announced it will provide humanitarian aid worth 9 million euros ($10.5 million) to Lebanon, where at least 500 people have been killed and 700,000 displaced, according to Beirut authorities and UNICEF.






