President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against European allies Tuesday, criticizing Spain and the United Kingdom in particular for their reluctance to enter the war as he urged a stronger coalition against Iran.
“Spain has been very, very uncooperative, and so has the U.K.,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Now the second one is shocking, but this is not the age of Churchill. The U.K. has been very, very uncooperative.”
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday pushed back against Trump’s prior denunciations of his nation’s approach to Iran, arguing that he does not believe in “regime change from the skies.” The nation is also allowing the U.S. to only use certain British bases for defensive raids on Tehran’s missile stores and launchers.
Spain has gone even further, forbidding the U.S. from using bases in the region against Iran.
But Trump on Tuesday appeared to say the U.S. has the ability to ignore Spain’s decision.
“We could use their base if we want,” Trump said. “We could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it.”
Trump has been open about his disappointment with European allies on numerous occasions, including in relation to the Russian-Ukrainian war. Still, Merz on Monday appeared to back Trump as he urged his fellow Europeans to support America’s efforts.
“We are supporting the United States and Israel to get rid of this terrible terrorist regime,” Merz said. “This is important not just for the Americans. This is extremely important for Europe.”
Merz said Germany is working to persuade Spain to accept the NATO-agreed upon increases in national defense spending, long a key sticking point for Trump.
“We are trying to convince them that this is part of our common security,” Merz said.