Spain tells of ‘surprise’ at Merz’s White House comments over Trump’s trade threats – Europe live

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Spain 'will not be vassals' to another country, minister says after Trump's threats

In another feisty comment coming out from Madrid this morning, Spain’s budget minister María Jesús Montero said Spain “will not be vassals” to another country, as she responded to US president Donald Trump’s threats to cut trade with Madrid over its stance against Washington’s attacks on Iran.

‘No to war’: Sánchez doubles down after Trump threat to cut off trade with Spain

in Madrid

If you are only catching up on this morning’s events, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez has responded to Donald Trump’s extraordinary threat to cut off all trade with Spain over his government’s refusal to facilitate the US’s ongoing attacks against Iran, comparing the growing conflict in the Middle East to playing “Russian roulette with the destiny of millions”.

Sánchez, who has been one of the most vociferous European critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, said his government’s position on the widening instability could be summed up in three words: “No to war.”

In a section of the speech that appeared to directly address Trump’s threats to end all trade with Spain, the prime minister said his country would “not be complicit in something that is bad for the world – and that is also contrary to our values ​​and interests – simply out of fear of reprisals from someone”.

In his address on Wednesday, Sánchez called on the US, Israel and Iran to stop their war before it was too late, saying: “You can’t respond to one illegality with another because that’s how humanity’s great disasters begin.”

He added:

“You can’t play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions … Nobody knows for sure what will happen now. Even the objectives of those who launched the first attack are unclear. But we must be prepared, as the proponents say, for the possibility that this will be a long war, with numerous casualties and, therefore, with serious economic consequences on a global scale.”

Macron calls French defence security council for Wednesday night

And this morning we are getting a line that Macron is calling another meeting of the French defence council later tonight to discuss the worsening situation in the Middle East, as reported by Le Figaro and BFMTV.

France sending only aircraft carrier to Mediterranean and further defences to Cyprus, Macron says

in Paris

Meanwhile, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said in a televised address to the nation that he has ordered the French aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, its air assets and its frigate escort to set sail for the Mediterranean.

In a televised address last night, he said France has defence agreements with Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE and must show solidarity, but he said any action by France was “strictly defensive”.

France must support its allies in the region and show it was a partner to be trusted, Macron said, adding that French anti-air systems and air radars had been deployed and would continue to be so.

France would also send defence systems to Cyprus and a frigate which was expected to arrive off the coast of Cyprus last night, the president said.

Croatia, Czech Republic using flag carriers to evacuate citizens from Middle East

Other countries are also continuing their attempts to extract their citizens from the region, with Czech Republic flying both military and commercial flights, and Croatia also sending planes for their citizens in the region.

The Czech Republic is working with the Czech airline Smartwings, which has been flying out of safer airports in the region, primarily in Oman, since Monday.

It also use at least three military planes, including a military Casa which flew from Egypt.

Meanwhile, Croatia teamed up with its flag carrying carrier, Croatia Airlines, with four aircraft deployed to the region.

Two further planes were chartered to take out Croatians from Dubai.

France, Ireland, UK will see more citizens returning from Middle East

Meanwhile, France, Ireland and the UK will see more of their citizens returning from the Middle East on Wednesday.

A first UK charter flight from Oman is expected to take off later tonight, prioritising the most vulnerable passengers.

Separately, Emirates Airways is operating seven flights from Dubai to the UK, Etihad has two Abu Dhabi departures while Virgin Atlantic will operate a flight from Dubai to London Heathrow.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee has said the Irish government will charter flights to airlift around 2,000 citizens “actively” looking to leave the region.

She said the first flight would leave from Oman and carry the most “vulnerable” who require “assistance urgently”.

On Wednesday morning she said that a commercial flight run by Emirates would leave from Dubai for Dublin “later today”.

Dubai is not just a holiday destination in itself but also an international hub connection Europe with Asia and Australia.

Spain told Germany of 'surprise' at Merz's White House comments, foreign minister says

in Madrid

Madrid has shared with Germany its “surprise” at remarks made by German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who appeared to support US president Donald Trump’s threats to cut trade with Spain (8:55), Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares said.

EU hits back at Trump over Spain trade threats with hint of warning it could retaliate

The EU has hit back at Donald Trump’s threats to halt all trade with Spain over its decision not to allow the US use its military bases for Iran bombing missions.

The EU said it expected the US president to “honour” its bloc-wide tariff deal concluded last year but hinted at the possibility of retaliatory measures if Trump did isolate Spain in a revenge move.

“The Commission will ensure that the interests of the European Union are fully protected. We stand in full solidarity with all Member States and all its citizens and, through our common trade policy, stand ready to act if necessary to safeguard EU interests,” said trade spokesperson Olof Gill.

He continued:

“Trade between the European Union and the United States is deeply integrated and mutually beneficial.

Safeguarding this relationship, particularly at a time of global disruption, is more important than ever and clearly in the interest of both sides.

The EU and the United States concluded a major trade deal last year. The European Commission expects the United States to fully honour the commitments undertaken in the joint statement of last August.

The EU is continuing to honour its part of that deal, allow many US goods into the bloc tariff free, even though the US supreme court ruled Trump’s 15% tariffs on EU goods were illegal.”

'Blunt rejection' of US-Israeli attack on Iran and 'call to learn from mistakes of the past' - snap analysis

in Madrid

Sánchez’s defiant speech may have been made in response to Trump’s threat to cut off all trade with Spain, but his words were also aimed every bit as much at other EU leaders (and at Spain’s political class).

The PM was keen to stress that his government’s refusal to facilitate the attacks on Iran was firmly in line with its stance on Ukraine and Gaza.

He repeatedly insisted that a long and unpredictable war with Iran would only bring more death, more global uncertainty and more economic upheaval.

Not for nothing did he invoke the 2003 invasion of Iraq – the massively controversial and counterproductive military adventure that was so enthusiastically backed by Spain’s conservative prime minister at the time, José María Aznar:

“A war that, in theory, was said to be waged to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction, bring democracy, and guarantee global security, but which, in reality, seen in retrospect, produced the opposite effect. It unleashed the greatest wave of insecurity our continent has suffered since the fall of the Berlin Wall.”

While no one could predict the exact course of the Iran conflict, he added, “what we do know is that a fairer international order will not emerge from it. Nor will it produce higher wages, better public services, or a healthier environment”.

In one of the most pointed passages of the speech, Sánchez also took aim at those who use war as a diversionary tactic, or as a means of enriching their cronies:

“It is absolutely unacceptable that those leaders who are incapable of fulfilling this duty use the smokescreen of war to hide their failure and, in the process, line the pockets of a select few – the same ones as always; the only ones who profit when the world stops building hospitals and starts building missiles.”

All in all, the speech is a blunt rejection of the US and Israel’s strikes and a call for Europe to learn from the mistakes of the past, to stand together, and to respect international law.

His words stand in sharp, and uncomfortable, contrast to the more weaselly utterances of others.

Let’s see how his fellow leader respond to the call in the final section:

“The government of Spain stands with those it must stand with. It stands with the values that our parents and grandparents enshrined in our constitution.

Spain stands with the founding principles of the European Union. It stands with the Charter of the United Nations. It stands with international law and, therefore, stands with peace and peaceful coexistence between countries and their harmonious coexistence.

We stand with many other governments that share our views, and with millions of citizens throughout Europe, North America, and the Middle East, who ask not for more war or uncertainty, but more peace and prosperity. Because the former only benefits a few. And the latter benefits us all.”

Very punchy speech from Sánchez in response to Trump's criticism - snap analysis

Very punchy speech from Sánchez there as he set out Madrid’s position on the Iran war very clearly, mounting a defiant defence of international law and values.

But the lines that stick out most are the ones that effectively form a response to Donald Trump’s comments last night as he says Spain “will not be complicit in something that is bad for the world … simply out of fear of reprisals from someone.”

No prizes for guessing who is he thinking about there.

In another passage, he also spoke about the government’s obligation to “improve people’s lives, … not to worsen them,” with a bruising line on some leaders using “the smokescreen of war” when they can’t meet that basic obligation. Ouch.

His warnings about the unintended consequences and the risk of things escalating too far will also resonate with many.

Spain's position 'not naive, but consistent,' Sánchez says, as he refuses to be 'complicit' just 'out of fear of reprisals'

Sánchez says his position is not naive – and says “what is naive is thinking that violence is the solution” or that “democracies or respect between nations can come from ruins.”

He says Spain’s position is “not at all naive, but consistent.”

In the closest comments to directly criticising Trump, he says:

“We will not be complicit in something that is bad for the world and that is also contrary to our values ​​and interests simply out of fear of reprisals from someone.”

He says Spain has “absolute confidence in the economic, institutional and I would even say more strength of our country.”

He says Spain is not alone in this view, which he says is enshrined in the EU, UN, and other international treaties.

He says that war would only “benefit a few,” while peace and more prosperity would “benefit us all.”

And he ends his speech here.

Spain's Sánchez calls for end of hostilities as he warns against risk of escalation and playing 'Russian roulette with fate of millions'

Sánchez says that Spain will leverage its position as an EU and Nato member state to demand a cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic talks.

He says “we must demand a firm resolution from the United States, Iran, and Israel to stop [this conflict] before it is too late.”

He adds that “one illegality cannot be met with another, because that is how the great disasters of humanity begin.”

He warns that “very often, major wars erupt due to a chain of events that spiral out of control because of miscalculations, technical failures, or unforeseen circumstances.”

In a strong passage, he specifically warns against “playing Russian roulette with the fate of millions of people.”

He says Spain and partners should consistently uphold the same values they argue for in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela or Greenland.

“The question is not whether or not we support the ayatollahs. No one does. Certainly not the Spanish people, and certainly not the Spanish government. The question, instead, is whether or not we stand on the side of international law and, therefore, on the side of peace,” he says.

Spain studying measures to help people affected by Middle East crisis

Sánchez says the government is “studying scenarios and possible measures” to help people affected by the crisis, drawing lessons from the pandemic and the US tariff crisis.

He also says Spain will work with other partners to “advocate for peace and compliance with international law.”

He also says that as the world focuses on Iran, it must not forget Ukraine and Palestine, and says Spain will keep pushing for “a just and lasting peace” there, too.

Iran war will not bring stability, cause economic disruptions, and push energy prices, Spain's Sánchez warns

Sánchez says that the Iraq war led to a rise in terror and in migration and left the word less safe.

He says the Iran war will not bring stability either, cause economic disruptions, and push energy prices higher.

He says Spain will seek to help its citizens stranded in the region, but caveats that by saying it won’t be an easy task as the region’s airspace remains unsafe.

“But our citizens can rest assured that we will protect them and bring them home safely,” he says.

'No to war,' Spain's Sánchez says in response to Middle East crisis

Sánchez says Spain’s position is “clear and consistent” and the same as it was in response to Ukraine and Gaza.

Madrid opposes “the breakdown of international law that protects us all,” and the assumption that “the world can only solve its problems through conflicts and bombs.”

He says he opposes “repeating the mistakes of the past.”

“The Spanish government’s position can be summarised …: no to war,” he says.

He then draws comparisons with the invasion of Iraq in early 2000s.

Spain's Sánchez speaking on Middle East crisis, Trump's comments

Spain’s Pedro Sánchez is speaking now.

He begins by summarising the events of the last few days after “the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which in turn responded by indiscriminately bombing nine countries in the region, including a British base located in Cyprus.”

I will bring you the key lines.

Spain to respond to Trump's threats as senior EU commissioner criticises 'deeply disruptive' comments

in Madrid

Spain’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.

Last night, a European Commission spokesperson said: “The Commission will always ensure that the interests of the European Union are fully protected.”

Teresa Ribera, a former Spanish deputy prime minister who now serves as the EU’s green transition chief, has also pointed out that the EU’s external trade is negotiated as a bloc and that the European Commission is the relevant authority on the issue.

Speaking to Spain’s Cadena Ser radio just after 8am, Ribera said:

“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 aware 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.”

Ribera also said Trump’s threat to cease trading with Spain was reminiscent of his recent threat to seize control of Greenland.

“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.”

Other Spanish politicians have been more forthright. In a social media post last night, Yolanda Díaz, a deputy prime minister and Spain’s labour minister, wrote:

“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.”

But the Spanish government’s stance on the Iran strikes has been criticised by its opponents, who have accused Sánchez of posturing.

“Different opinions are welcome,” said Alberti Núñez Feijóo, the leader of Spain’s conservative People’s party. “What is no longer open to debate is that the government’s foreign policy is consistently irresponsible and that frivolity has consequences … We cannot jeopardise our security, our stability, and our position in the world in an attempt to win a few votes domestically.”

Morning opening: Spain faces Trump's criticism and threats over Nato spending, use of bases

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez is about to respond to harsh criticism from Donald Trump this morning after the US president said last night that “Spain has been terrible” on Iran and claimed to instruct his officials to “cut off all dealings with Spain.”

His comments were sparked by Spain’s insistence the US should not use their joint military bases in southern Spain for its operations in Iran, and Madrid’s reluctance to ramp up defence spending, as agreed within Nato.

Speaking alongside German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said:

“First of all, it started when every European nation, at my request paid 5 percent, which they should be doing. And everybody was enthusiastic about it. Germany, everybody, and Spain didn’t do it, and now Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases. …

We could use their bases if we want, we could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it, but we don’t have to, but they were unfriendly. And so, I told him we don’t want – Spain has absolutely nothing that we need other than great people, they have great people, but they don’t have great leadership.”

Curiously, Merz not only didn’t come to the rescue to an EU ally, but joined in as he said:

“The answer on that is quite simple. We are trying to convince Spain to catch up with the 3 percent or 3.5 percent, which we agreed on in Nato, and as the president said, it’s correct. Spain is the only one who is not willing to accept that, and we are trying to convince them that this is a part of our common security that we all have to comply with these numbers. … So, Spain has to comply with that.”

After leaving the White House, he sounded a bit differently, telling reporters:

“I said that Spain is a member of the European Union and we negotiate about tariffs with the United States only together or not at all. There is no way to treat Spain particularly badly.”

These comments sparked a big reaction over in Spain, and Sánchez is about to respond publicly in an “institutional statement.”

I will bring you all the key lines here.

Later, we will keep an eye on the latest on Cyprus and security situation in the region, about European evacuation flights from the Middle East, the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act, and other key news from across the continent.

It’s Wednesday, 4 March 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.