“We say no to war.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the only European leader who directly challenges Trump
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said that US President Donald Trump's threats will not lead Madrid to support the US-Israeli offensive against Iran.
Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain/PHOTO: EPA/EFE
“We will not take a position that goes against our values and principles for fear of retaliation“, Sánchez said in a televised address to the nation, hours after Trump threatened to suspend trade relations with Spain. The White House reacted after Madrid banned the use of military bases jointly operated by the US and Spain for attacks against Iran.
Call for European unity
In Brussels, European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera dismissed the possibility that Washington would follow through on its threat to cut trade ties with Spain and called on the European Union to respond “with unity” to what she called Trump's aggressive tone.
“It is important to remain firmi”, she declared.
While expressing solidarity with Middle Eastern states and Cyprus after drone attacks attributed to Iran, Sánchez stressed that the current crisis erupted following an “unauthorized” attack launched by the US and Israel on Tehran.
The Spanish prime minister said that Madrid has an obligation to oppose the “bankruptcy of international law that protects us all” and those who try to “solve the world's conflicts with bombs”.
“We say no to war“, he insisted.
The only European leader who directly challenges Trump
In the context of the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Sánchez stood out as the only leader of the European Union who directly challenged the legitimacy of the American intervention in Iran, calling it unjustified, dangerous and illegal.
Madrid's refusal to allow the use of Morón de la Frontera and Rota air bases provoked a harsh reaction from the US president, who threatened to “stop all trade with Spain” and consider an embargo.
Sánchez suggested that Trump's position could be related to the American leader's domestic difficulties. “Leaders who fail to deliver economic results use the smoke of war to hide their failures and line the pockets of a few,” he said.
The prime minister compared the current intervention to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, arguing that that conflict had generated instability and suffering without bringing real benefits.
Limited economic impact, but energy risks
According to the Ministry of Economy in Madrid, direct trade between the US and Spain last year amounted to approximately 30 billion euros. Spanish exports to the US represent just over 4% of the country's total exports.
Spain has recorded a trade deficit of more than 16 billion euros with the US in 2025, and some Spanish financial experts believe that Washington could have more to lose in the event of a total breakdown in trade relations.
Among the sectors considered vulnerable are:
-olive oil – the US consumes approximately half of the world volume outside the EU; Spanish exports reached 970 million euros;
– wines, including sparkling wines;
-meat products, such as jamón;
– the machinery and electrical equipment industry – over 4 billion euros exports;
– the pharmaceutical sector – over 1.2 billion euros.
Experts point out that, from a legal point of view, it would be difficult for Washington to impose sanctions exclusively on Spain, since trade policy is the competence of the European Union and would affect the entire EU bloc. However, selective tariffs are possible for certain categories of products.
However, Spain is significantly dependent on American energy: about 15% of imported oil and gas comes from the US. This dependence could become problematic, especially in the context of the disruption of liquefied natural gas supplies from the Middle East.
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said authorities were monitoring the situation but urged the population to remain “completely calm”. He emphasized that commercial relations are regulated at the level of the European Union and that there are protection mechanisms for affected companies.
The minister acknowledged, however, that the effects of the conflict in Iran are already being felt in the energy sector, and the impact on transport and mobility prices will depend on the duration of the instability.
In closing, Sánchez called for calm, in the context of threats from both Iran and Washington.
“We have full confidence in the economic, institutional and moral strength of our country,” he said. “At times like these, we are prouder than ever to be Spanish.”
