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Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles on Friday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw American troops from Spain, after he criticized Madrid’s opposition to U.S. attacks on Iran.
Robles said Spain was calm in the face of Trump’s remarks and stressed that the country remains one of NATO’s major contributors.
“We do not accept lessons, and we are absolutely calm because we are one of the countries that contributes the most” to NATO, she told reporters ahead of a media event.
Trump said Thursday that he would “probably” consider pulling U.S. troops from Spain and Italy.
He linked the possible move to both countries’ opposition to U.S. attacks on Iran.
“Why shouldn’t I? … Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible,” Trump said.
The remarks came as Spain has openly criticized the Iran war since it began. Madrid has argued that the war lacks international legal backing and has refused to allow its bases or airspace to be used for offensive operations.
Robles rejected Trump’s criticism and said Spain remains committed to its NATO obligations and to world peace.
“With respect but … these messages have gone too far,” she said.
Spain hosts key U.S. military installations, including the Rota naval base and Moron air base.
The bases are strategically important for NATO operations in the Mediterranean and Africa.
Trump’s remarks also drew a response from Italy, which he also mentioned as a possible target for a U.S. troop withdrawal.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said he did not understand the reasoning behind any potential U.S. troop withdrawal from Italy.
Trump’s comments on Spain and Italy followed earlier remarks this week about American troop levels in Germany.
He said the Pentagon was studying reducing the deployment of U.S. troops there.
The U.S. had also threatened in early March to cut off all trade with Spain over Madrid’s stance on Iran.
Bilateral trade, however, remains normal.
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