Trump announced the end of Iran, threatens to cut off trade with Spain – National

US President Donald Trump rocked a summit of NATO leaders on Wednesday as he demanded the United States cut trade ties with Spain and make renewed claims to Greenland, angering fellow NATO member Denmark.

Speaking in the Turkish capital Ankara, Trump called Madrid a “bad partner” in NATO as he lashed out at the allies for not supporting the Iran war and ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to freeze all trade with Spain.

Trump’s speech, which also declared an end to the fragile conflict with Iran, overshadowed a summit that European leaders had hoped would show solidarity and support for Ukraine and close a series of rows that threatened to tear apart the military alliance.

Trump spoke with NATO Secretary Mark Rutte, who has actively tried to ease his concerns about defense spending, Iran and Greenland, while praising the president for putting these issues first.

They also played down carefully crafted pre-conference messages that European NATO countries have ramped up military spending, which saw at least US$50 billion in defense programs unveiled on Tuesday.

Washington and Madrid have been at loggerheads, with Spain openly rejecting Trump’s request that European countries significantly increase military spending and pay for their own defense. The Socialist leadership in Madrid has also refused to allow the US to use its airspace or bases in its territory for the Iran war.

“Spain is a wasted cause. We no longer want to do business with Spain,” Trump said. However, I would like to cut it short. Spain is a bad partner in NATO. They don’t participate, they don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including tourism.

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In response, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s office said it takes Trump’s statements as normal, adding that bilateral relations have benefited both countries.

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia was tight-lipped.

“We are an independent, democratic country that protects international cooperation and peace,” he told X. “What’s wrong is confusing conversations with bullying.”

Asked about Trump’s comments, the NATO ambassador said: “The answer to every question that POTUS raises is clear: to build a more European NATO. That’s what we’re doing in Ankara.”

The US launched new military strikes on Iran and revoked the license allowing Iran to sell oil in response to the attacks on three tanks. It was the latest blow to the fragile end-of-war agreement in Europe’s most unpopular war.

“It’s a very interesting question. To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with it,” Trump said when asked if the interim deal with Iran that was intended to establish a long-term peace deal by mid-August has ended. “They are cowards, they are sick, they are led by sick people.”

“For me, it’s just a waste of time to deal with them,” he said.

Rutte defended the new US strikes and downplayed Trump and allies’ frustrations over the Iran war as “isolated cases.”

“I think what you did last night was really necessary. It was a strong response,” Rutte told Trump. “If you end the war and Iran actually violates the ceasefire agreement, I think it’s very important that the US react forcefully.”

He also praised Trump for making European countries raise their game on defense spending.

“It is very important when it comes to NATO, what you have achieved, and this is a big win,” he said.

Trump accused European countries of failing to allow the US military to use their airspace and bases in their territories during the war.

European officials have said they respect their commitment to the U.S. military, even though they have not been consulted about the conflict that has affected their economies.

Trump also demanded that his country take control of Greenland, an area under Denmark, reviving the issue that has troubled the alliance that has strengthened Western security since the beginning of the Cold War.

“Greenland is very important to the United States, but not important to Denmark,” he said. “In fact, when Denmark was overrun by the Nazis in less than a day – Hitler beat them in one day, took over – they asked us to take care of Greenland. In fact, we took Greenland, then foolishly gave it back.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also pointed out that Greenland had not been captured.

“We are ready to defend every inch of NATO, including our territory,” he said.