China sharply responds to Trump’s threats to punish Spain over Iran
Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning (Getty Images)
China responded to US President Donald Trump’s threat to halt trade with Spain. Beijing stated that "trade should not be used as a tool or weapon," according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning commented during a briefing on Trump’s intention to cut trade ties with Spain over its refusal to provide airbases for strikes against Iran.
"The US-Israeli military strikes against Iran violate international law. Trade should not be used as a tool or weapon," she emphasized.
What led up to it
Spain refused to support the US operation against Iran, forcing the United States to remove its aircraft from Spanish bases.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said that the US withdrew about 12 KC-135 refueling planes from the Morón de la Frontera (Seville) and Rota (Cádiz) military bases, which were intended for in-flight refueling of fighter jets.
She stated that the cooperation agreement with the US, which allows the presence of American troops at Spanish military bases, "must operate within the framework of international law." According to Robles, there are currently "unilateral actions without the support of a multilateral organization such as the UN, NATO, or the EU."
In response to Spain’s decision, Trump said he had ordered US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut all relations with Spain. The US president emphasized that "Spain has been terrible."
Spain’s position on Iran
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced his country’s refusal to support the US and Israeli operation against Iran. He noted that unilateral military actions outside the UN Charter only escalate the "spiral of violence" and lack a clear strategic objective.
In 2025, Spain also rejected US demands to increase NATO countries’ defense spending to 5% of GDP. Spanish officials stated that the continent’s future should be based not on militarization, but on unity and adherence to international law.
