Preparations for an embargo list following Trump's remarks on Spain

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks targeting Spain regarding NATO defense spending, preparations for a list of potential sanctions on Spanish products have come to the agenda in Washington.

According to a U.S. official, the U.S. Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative will work to identify products manufactured in Spain—which Trump has labeled a "bad NATO partner"—that could be subject to an embargo.

It was reported that Trump told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, "I don't want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits."

The U.S. President's reaction is reportedly due to Spain's failure to commit to allocating 5 percent of its gross domestic product to defense spending as part of NATO targets. It was stated that Trump gave a similar instruction to Bessent in March, but trade between the two countries has continued.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had stated that they held a friendly meeting with Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, emphasizing that his country is a reliable NATO ally and that commercial ties with the U.S. are strong.

A statement from Sanchez's office noted that Spain has a trade deficit with the U.S. and that commercial relations are conducted between companies. The statement also pointed out that European Union customs and trade rules limit the imposition of sanctions on a member-state basis.

News Source: 12punto