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It’s never been altogether clear why Donald Trump harbors so much animosity toward Spain, though it’s been evident for a while. Just days into the president’s second term, he tried to deride the international BRICS coalition, which he occasionally pretends to understand......

But perhaps most importantly, Trump has talked more than once in recent months about ending all trade between the United States and Spain. He brought it up unprompted at multiple White House events shortly after the war with Iran began, following a dispute over the U.S. military’s use of Spanish air bases.

This week, he did it again during the NATO summit in Turkey.

Trump: "Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way. I'd like to cut it off. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. Cut off all trade with Spain, please. Including visits. We don't want anything to do. They're hopeless. Bad people."

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-07-08T11:41:28.628Z

In other words, the White House can’t single out Spain for some kind of trade embargo without affecting the rest of the European Union, which is a fight the administration has been reluctant to pick.

As for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who shrugged off the American president’s latest threat, there’s a broader dynamic the White House might not fully appreciate. Trump is wildly unpopular in Spain, and every time the Republican lashes out at the country, Sánchez reaps the political benefits.

All things considered, the Spanish prime minister probably hopes that Trump will keep making threats.