SPAIN'S Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez played down tensions with the United States after President Donald Trump reiterated a threat to halt trade with the NATO ally on Wednesday (July 8).
Sanchez said he had an informal and cordial exchange with the U.S. president, focused on football and the World Cup in the United States, stressing there was “no tension” in the conversation.
He described bilateral relations as positive, highlighting long-standing ties that have endured across different administrations in both countries, and used the moment to congratulate the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence.
On trade, Sanchez emphasised that Spain runs a deficit with the United States. The U.S. sells more to Spain than it buys, exporting US$26.6 billion in goods to the country in 2025 and importing US$21.35 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sanchez added that decisions on U.S. troop deployments in Europe are for Washington to make, and said defence cooperation between allies remains strong.
Spain has around 3,000 personnel deployed on allied missions, making it the alliance's third-largest contributor of troops abroad in peace and security missions, according to Spanish government figures.
