Spain publicly debunks White House lie over cooperation deal

On March 3, 2026, Trump publicly threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after Prime Minister PSPedro Sánchez refused to let the U.S. military use jointly-operated bases at Rota and Morón in southern Spain for strikes on Iran. Sánchez said the attacks were 'unjustifiable' and that Spain wouldn't be 'complicit in something that is bad for the world.'

On March 4, White House Press Secretary KLKaroline Leavitt told reporters at a formal briefing: 'With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear. It's my understanding, over the past several hours, they've agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military. The U.S. military is coordinating with their counterparts in Spain.' She cited no source, agreement, or official communication.

Within minutes of Leavitt's statement, Spanish Foreign Minister JMJosé Manuel Albares appeared on Cadena Ser radio and directly contradicted her: 'I can refute the White House spokesperson. The position of the Spanish government regarding the war in the Middle East, the bombing of Iran and the use of our bases has not changed one iota.' On a second program, he added: 'Not a single comma has changed, and I have no idea whatsoever what they might be referring to.'

Prime Minister Sánchez delivered a nationally televised address on March 4 reiterating Spain's opposition. Without naming Trump directly, he said the conflict risked 'playing Russian roulette' with millions of lives and summarized Spain's position in four words: 'No to the war.' He called the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran 'dangerous' and 'unjustifiable.'

Leavitt never retracted or clarified her statement. No White House correction was issued. The White House briefing transcript remains publicly available with the original false claim intact.

Trump's trade embargo threat ran into a structural obstacle: Spain is a European Union member, and the EU negotiates trade on behalf of all 27 member states. Treasury Secretary SBScott Bessent acknowledged on CNBC that a trade embargo against Spain would require 'a combination effort' and declined to explain how it would work. Spanish business groups immediately called the U.S. a 'key partner' and urged that trade not be affected.

The EU backed Spain's position. European Commission spokesperson OGOlof Gill said the EU 'stands in full solidarity with all member states' and is 'ready to act if necessary to safeguard EU interests.' The EU had struck a trade deal with the U.S. the previous year after tariff disputes — making a new trade war with a member state a significant escalation.

Iranian President MPMasoud Pezeshkian publicly praised Spain's refusal to cooperate with U.S. strikes, calling it an example of 'ethics and awakened consciences' in the West. The White House used that praise to pressure other European allies to distance themselves from Madrid's position.

Trump separately suggested the U.S. could use the Spanish bases without consent: 'We could use their base if we want,' he said, referring to Rota and Morón. Legal experts said unilateral use of allied bases without consent would violate the bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and Spain and potentially NATO protocols.

The U.S. operates Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base under a 1953 bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement that has been updated multiple times. The agreement requires Spain's consent for operations not covered by NATO or U.N. mandates. Trump's threat to use the bases without permission directly contradicts a treaty ratified by the Senate.