Spain denies agreeing to US use of bases after White House claim
Mar 4th 2026
Madrid and Washington issued conflicting statements after the White House said Spain agreed to help US military operations, while Spanish leaders rejected that claim and warned they will not allow use of shared bases for strikes outside UN rules.
- White House press secretary said Spain had agreed to cooperate with US military operations in the Middle East.
- Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares publicly refuted the White House statement and said Spain's position had not changed.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain will not be complicit and rejected use of jointly operated bases for strikes not covered by the United Nations charter.
- President Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain and said the US could use Rota and Morón bases if it wanted.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Spain's refusal put American lives at risk.
- The European Union pledged to protect member interests and Spanish business groups warned that a trade row would harm Spain, whose trade with the US is about 4.4 percent of GDP.