EU Urges Trump to Respect Trade Deal Amidst Spain Tensions

The European Commission has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to respect existing trade agreements and protect the interests of the European Union and its member states. This statement comes after Trump criticized Spain for not meeting NATO defense spending targets, threatening to halt bilateral trade. Olof Gill, the EU's trade spokesperson, emphasized that the EU's trade policy is collective, meaning any third-party tariffs must apply to all 27 member states or specific sensitive sectors, not selectively to individual countries. He reiterated Brussels' clear and consistent stance on trade tensions with the U.S., highlighting the deeply integrated and mutually beneficial nature of their economic relationship. Gill reminded that a joint declaration signed by Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last summer established a framework for trade relations, including a European commitment to refrain from retaliatory tariffs if U.S. tariffs on European imports remained limited. The EU expects the U.S. to honor this commitment, just as the EU upholds its own. Trump's recent remarks singled out Spain, calling it a "lost cause" and a "terrible partner" for refusing to increase defense spending beyond 2% of its GDP, despite Spain's government noting the U.S. enjoys a trade surplus with the country. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the full protection of EU interests.