Spain to respond to Trump’s criticism and threats over Nato spending and use of bases – Europe live

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez to give speech shortlyin MadridSpain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is due to make a statement at 9am local time to respond to Donald Trump’s extraordinary threat to cut of all trade with Spain over its refusal to allow two jointly operated bases in its territory to be used in the US’s ongoing strikes against Iran.“At this moment, it isn’t possible to establish trade reprisals or separate trade relations … I think the most surprising thing about this fact is that the American federal government is unaware of this, and therefore it is necessary to insist, as the spokesperson for the European Commission did last night, that the trade negotiations of each and every one of the 27 member states of the EU are the responsibility of the Commission, and it is not possible to create a division or fragmentation among the member states.”“What we’re seeing is very similar to what happened just a month ago with those threats – also in a boastful tone – regarding Greenland. And the truth is, there was an immediate reaction from our EU partners, from the European Commission, and from the markets. I think that the instability; the tension generated by this way of relating to, or speaking about third parties – whether it’s about Starmer, Macron, or Pedro Sánchez – is deeply disruptive, not only for societies, for peace, for cooperation, but also for the economy. And it has immediate consequences for the overall economic activity of everyone.”“Spain doesn’t take to being blackmailed or lectured by an aggressor country. We’re a country of peace. If the US wants an ally, let them begin by respecting our sovereignty and international law.” Continue reading...