The Spanish Executive has responded to the latest threat from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to "completely" halt trade between the two countries, recalling that trade exchanges are structured through the European Union as a whole and, therefore, cannot be individualized with a single member state.
From Moncloa, they also emphasize that economic ties are established fundamentally between private companies and not directly between governments, and they point out that the United States maintains a trade surplus with Spain, meaning it exports more than it imports and, consequently, "benefits more" from that relationship, according to government sources.
In Pedro Sánchez's circle, they assure that they receive Trump's statements "with calm and normality," who this Wednesday, during the NATO summit held in Ankara (Turkey), called Spain "a lost cause" and a "terrible" partner within the Alliance for refusing to dedicate 5% of GDP to defense spending.
"Spain is a lost cause. By the way, we don't want to do any commercial business with Spain anymore. I want you to cut it off. Spain is a terrible ally in NATO. They don't participate. They don't pay. I don't want to know anything about Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits," Trump stated at a joint press conference with the organization's Secretary General, Mark Rutte.
Faced with these harsh criticisms, which have been repeated in recent months, the Government insists that Spain maintains an excellent social, cultural, and economic relationship with the United States. "And it is not our intention for that to change," they emphasize. "The bilateral relationship between the US and Spain is beneficial for both countries, both in the commercial sphere and in defense," they conclude from the Executive.
Elma Saiz defends the Spanish and European position
In the same vein, the Government spokesperson, Elma Saiz, has stressed that the ties between the two countries are positive for both parties and has reiterated that the commercial framework is negotiated at the level of the entire EU. "We cannot speak of singularity, as the European Commission has rightly said," she stated in an interview on the program 'Mañaneros' on TVE, as reported by Europa Press.
Asked if she believes Trump will follow through with his threats, Saiz responded that Spain is "a reliable partner" that is very clear about its international commitments and its role in various multilateral organizations.
Regarding Trump's warning to cut off "visits" by Spaniards to the United States, the minister has avoided speculating about possible consequences for tourists and has preferred to send a message of "normality and serenity." "We don't have to go to screens that we don't have to go to, relations at all levels are magnificent and beneficial for both countries," she has stressed.
The Government emphasizes that Trump cannot act alone against Spain
The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, also spoke, emphasizing that Trump "cannot take any action against an EU country" because, if he did, he would have to direct it "against the entire European Union."
In statements to the media after visiting the facilities of the satellite company FOSSA Systems, López highlighted Spain's role in NATO, recalling that it is a country that meets its funding objectives and one of the allies with the largest deployment of missions abroad. "Spain's commitment to NATO is undeniable," he emphasized.
He also reiterated that "the trade balance is favorable to the United States" and considers that Trump's statements "are not very well thought out."
"So, I convey absolute tranquility, the commercial relations between Spain and the United States are the commercial relations between Europe and the United States, and certainly Spain is a reliable partner that fulfills its commitments as it has always done," he concluded.
The Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, expressed himself in similar terms, stating from Palma that they are "accustomed to Trump's tone and ways," although he reiterated that the bilateral relationship is very good and that the Government's intention is for it to remain so.