Fact-check: Real-time X posts from multiple users, including journalists and news aggregators, confirm Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain during his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, over Madrid's refusal to allow U.S. military base access for Iran-related strikes. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly criticized Spain as 'terrible' actors and free riders putting American lives at risk. This is consistent with reports from NYT, DW, and others, indicating the event is widely verified.
President Trump announced plans to cut all trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow U.S. military forces to use Spanish bases for Iran-related strike missions. Speaking during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump called Spain 'terrible' and directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to end trade relations with the country. The move combines trade coercion with the broader U.S.-Iran military conflict and NATO alliance tensions.