US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he does not want to do trade with Spain, calling it "a terrible partner" in NATO.
He asked for other countries to follow.
"We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore. By the way, I'd like you to cut it up.
"Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain," Trump said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Türkiye's capital, Ankara.
Trump also ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off trade with Spain immediately.
"Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits… I don't want to do any more trade with them. All right, take it immediately," he said.
Trump reiterated that he is "not happy" with NATO allies over insufficient support during the war with Iran.
Spain was reluctant to increase its military spendings
Spain had reaffirmed its opposition to proposals for NATO members to raise defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) ahead of the alliance's summit this week in Ankara.
Government sources said on Monday that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez would use the meeting to reiterate Madrid's stance in response to calls by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump for allies to adopt the higher spending target.
Spain has argued that committing 5 percent of GDP to defence would be incompatible with preserving the country's welfare state and maintaining sustainable public finances.
Instead, Madrid said NATO members should strengthen the alliance's security while balancing broader economic and social priorities.
