Trump Backtracks on Spain, Recalls Threat to Break Trade Ties

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump criticized Spain for not cooperating with the United States and reiterated his threat to sever trade relations with the country.

"No, they are not cooperating. I think they are not at all cooperative. Spain. I think they are very bad, very bad... We may stop trading with Spain," Trump told reporters when asked about the matter. reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Thursday, March 12.

Trump said Madrid benefited from NATO protection, while refusing to pay its share, and had behaved that way for years.

Previously on March 3, Trump said the US would end all trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow the US military to use their bases to attack Iran.

In addition, Trump also touched on Spain's decision to maintain a defense spending target of 2 percent.

On March 4, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Spanish government began cooperating with the US "in the last few hours" after initially refusing to allow the US military to use their bases.

However, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez denied the claim and said the government's position had not changed.