Spain’s PM pushes back at Trump over threat to cut trade ties amid Middle East war

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pushed back at United States President Donald Trump after Washington threatened to cut trade ties with Spain over Madrid’s refusal to support ongoing U.S. military actions against Iran.

 

Sánchez warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East risks “playing Russian roulette with the destiny of millions.”

 

The diplomatic tension comes as the war continues to intensify. At least 87 people were reported killed after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, with several others still missing.

 

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja cancelled all visa appointments, citing a high potential for protests in the Federal Capital Territory as tensions rise globally following the confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

 

Speaking on the crisis, Sánchez—who has been among Europe’s strongest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza—said Spain’s position on the widening conflict could be summed up in three words: “No to war.”

 

In remarks widely seen as a response to Trump’s threat to end trade relations with Spain, the Spanish leader said his government would not support actions that contradict its values.

 

“We will not be complicit in something that is bad for the world and contrary to our country’s values and interests simply out of fear of reprisals from someone,” Sánchez said.

 

Trump had earlier criticised Madrid for refusing to allow the U.S. military to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain for strikes against Iran.

 

“Spain has been terrible,” Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adding that he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to suspend trade dealings with the European country.

 

In his address, Sánchez urged the United States, Israel and Iran to de-escalate the conflict before it spirals further, warning that responding to one illegality with another could trigger catastrophic consequences.

 

“You can’t respond to one illegality with another because that’s how humanity’s great disasters begin,” he said.

 

“You can’t play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions. Nobody knows for sure what will happen now.”

 

The Spanish leader also drew parallels with the 2003 Iraq invasion, backed at the time by Spain’s conservative government under José María Aznar, which he said ultimately triggered widespread insecurity instead of stability.

 

According to Sánchez, the primary responsibility of any government is to protect the wellbeing of its citizens, not to exploit geopolitical tensions or profit from war.