The European Commission pledges to defend EU interests after Donald Trump threatens to sever all trade with Spain over a military base dispute.

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has declared it stands ready to defend European Union interests following a threat from former US President Donald Trump to cut off all trade with Spain.

Commission spokesman Olof Gill issued a statement expressing full solidarity with all member states and their citizens in response to Trump’s remarks.

Trump lashed out at the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday, criticising its refusal to grant US use of the Rota naval base and Moron air base.

The former president also criticised Spain’s refusal to join a NATO pledge to boost defence spending, stating “so we’re going to cut off all trade with Spain, we don’t want anything to do with Spain”.

Gill recalled that the EU and United States concluded a major trade deal last year and said the Commission expects the US to fully honour the commitments undertaken as part of that accord.

“We will continue to advocate for stable, predictable and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade relations for the benefit of all,” he stated.

The spokesman emphasised that safeguarding this relationship, particularly at a time of global disruption, is more important than ever and clearly in the interest of both sides.

Sanchez’s leftist government has also angered Washington with other policies, including staunch opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza.

The Spanish government further drew US ire for its stance on the military operation to abduct and arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

 The Sun Malaysia