Video: external/x/@sanchezcastejon
March 4, 2026, 11:13 amMarch 4, 2026, 2:22 p.m
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded with a “no to war” to US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the European NATO country’s resistance to the Israeli-American attack on Iran.
In a televised speech, he once again called on the USA, Israel and Iran to immediately stop attacks on each other. The violence must end “before it is too late,” said Sánchez.
Video: external/x/@sanchezcastejon
It is “naive to believe that blind and submissive obedience means leadership,” warned Sánchez with regard to Trump’s threats. It’s about respecting international law, “which protects all of us, especially the civilian population.” It is a mistake to believe that the world can only solve its problems with bombs.
Trump: “You were unfriendly”
Trump criticized the governments of Spain and the United Kingdom during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Some European countries like Spain have behaved terribly,” said Trump in the White House, referring to the US attacks on Iran. “Spain has actually said that we are not allowed to use their bases.”
Trump said no one can tell the US what to do or not to do. If the US wanted, it could use Spain’s bases without permission. “They were unfriendly,” Trump said. And that’s why he instructed his finance minister Scott Bessent to stop “all deals” with Madrid. Which agreements Trump was referring to remained unclear at first.
Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed on Monday that none of the US units stationed at the Spanish military bases of Morón and Rota were involved in the attacks on Iran. Robles emphasized that these bases should only be used within the framework of international law. Spain also angered Trump because it is the only European NATO country that does not want to increase its defense spending to five percent of gross domestic product, as demanded by the USA.
Foreign Minister criticizes Chancellor Merz
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of a lack of solidarity in the face of US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the NATO partner. He told Germany that he was “surprised” about it, he told the TV station RTVE.
“When you share a currency, a common trade policy and a common market with another country, you expect the same solidarity that Spain showed, for example, towards Denmark when there were tariff threats due to Denmark’s move to give up its territorial integrity in Greenland,” Albares said.
The Christian Democrat later countered Trump’s threat to cut economic relations with Spain. With a view to the US customs conflict with the EU, Merz emphasized to the press that Spain is a member of the European Union: “And as such, we only negotiate a customs agreement with the USA together or not at all,” he clarified.
There is no way to treat Spain particularly badly. These statements were seen in the Spanish media as an attempt by the German head of government to correct his initial silence towards Trump.
Albares drew a comparison between Merz and his predecessors in office. “Since we have been in government, we have experienced three Chancellors: Merkel, Scholz and now Merz. I cannot imagine that Merkel or Scholz would have made such statements; There was a different pro-European mood back then,” said Albares. (pre/sda)