US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off trade with Spain after Madrid refused to grant Washington access to military bases for operations targeting Iran.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the United States could terminate all trade relations with Spain following its decision not to allow the use of bases on its territory in connection with attacks against Iran.

“We will cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want any relations with Spain. I can stop it tomorrow — or today. Even better, I can stop everything related to Spain… Embargoes. I can do whatever I want about it, and we can do that with Spain,” Trump said.

Trump also criticized Spain for resisting efforts to raise defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product, a target Washington has urged NATO allies to meet.

Spain has stated that it would not permit US forces to use jointly operated bases on its soil for strikes against Iran.

It remains unclear how the United States could impose tariffs or trade restrictions on a single European Union member state. The 27-member bloc operates under a common trade policy that allows the free movement of goods across its borders. In the event of tariffs targeting one country, companies could potentially reroute goods through another EU member state to mitigate trade barriers.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and growing debate within NATO over defense spending and alliance commitments.(ILKHA)