Sánchez says 'no to war' as EU backs Spain over Trump's trade threats

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday doubled down on his opposition to the escalating attacks in the Middle East, declaring "no to war" in a televised address.

The left-wing prime minister again urged the United States, Israel and Iran to immediately halt their mutual attacks. The violence must end "before it is too late," Sánchez said.

It would be "naive to believe that blind and submissive obedience means leadership," Sánchez warned in reference to US President Donald Trump's threats.

The issue was one of respect for international law, "which protects all of us, especially the civilian population." Believing that the world could solve its problems with bombs alone was a mistake, he added.

Trump had criticized the governments of Spain and the United Kingdom at a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday.

"Spain has been terrible," Trump said at the White House, referring to Sánchez position. "Spain actually said we can't use their bases."

Trump said he could defy that if he wanted to.

"We could use the base if we want," the president told reporters during a news conference. "We could just fly in and use it, nobody is going to tell us not to use it. But we don’t have to."

Spain's Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed on Monday that none of the US units stationed at the Spanish military bases of Morón and Rota had taken part in the attacks on Iran.

These bases may only be used in accordance with international law, Robles emphasized.

EU backs Spain over Trump trade threats

Trump said given Spain's attitude, he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt all dealings with Madrid. It initially remained unclear which agreements Trump was referring to.

On Wednesday the European Commission noted that it expects the major trade deal negotiated last year between the European Union and the United States to hold.

The commission "expects the United States to fully honour the commitments undertaken in our Joint Statement," according to a statement released by a spokesman.

It noted that trade policy is made on the EU level and that the commission stands "in full solidarity with all Member States." It stands "ready to act if necessary to safeguard EU interests."

After a call with the Spanish prime minister on Wednesday, European Council President António Costa wrote on X: "The EU will always ensure that the interests of its Member States are fully protected.

"We reaffirm our firm commitment to the principles of international law and the rules-based order everywhere in the world."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday also assured Spain of France's solidarity in the row with Trump.

In a phone call with Sánchez. Macron expressed France's "European solidarity" with Spain, according to sources close to the French president.

Spain: Merz lacked 'solidarity' amid silence during Trump attacks

Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Wednesday accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of failing to demonstrate "solidarity" with Madrid in the face of criticism from US President Donald Trump.

Albares told broadcaster RTVE that he has communicated his "surprise" over Merz's response to Trump's tirade against Spain in a White House meeting on Tuesday.

"When you share a currency, a common trade policy and a common market with another country, you expect the same solidarity that Spain showed towards Denmark, for example, when there were customs threats over the desire to remove Denmark's territorial integrity in Greenland," Albares said.

The comments came after the US president said the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been "terrible" during the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

"Spain actually said we can't use their bases," Trump said, drawing silence from Merz.

Trump said he has instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt "all deals" with Madrid. It was unclear which agreements Trump was referring to, but he further raised Spain's opposition to raising defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product.

"They wanted to keep it at 2% and they don't pay the 2% so we're going to cut off all trade with Spain," Trump said. "We don't want anything to do with Spain."

In response, Sánchez doubled down on his opposition to the escalating attacks in the Middle East on Wednesday, declaring "no to war" in a televised address.

Merz meanwhile told reporters following his White House meeting that Spain is a member of the European Union and any trade negotiations with the US must be conducted collectively or not at all. He stressed there was no way to single out Spain for punitive treatment.

"I told him very clearly: You cannot conclude an isolated agreement with Germany, or an agreement with all of Europe but excluding Spain. We are all in the same boat here," Merz told German broadcaster ARD.

The remarks do not appear to have appeased the Spanish foreign minister, however.

Albares drew a comparison between Merz and his predecessors in office.

"Since we have been in government, we have had three chancellors: Merkel, Scholz and now Merz. I cannot imagine Merkel or Scholz making such statements; at that time, there was a different pro-European mood," he said.