Spain plays down Trump threat to cut trade

Spain said it would respond calmly after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade ties and visits over Madrid’s role in NATO.

Trump called Spain a “terrible partner” in the alliance and accused it of not paying enough, according to Spanish media reports. He said he wanted all trade with Spain stopped, including visits.

The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain did not want the comments to affect its strong social, cultural and economic ties with the United States.

The statement said economic links are built by private companies, not governments, and that the U.S.-Spain relationship benefits both countries in trade and defence.