Spain says trade ties with US benefit both countries after Trump's threats

Spain's government has stated that bilateral relations with the United States benefit both countries, responding to remarks by President Donald Trump that Washington no longer wished to conduct trade with Spain.

Madrid said they enjoy excellent social, cultural and economic relations with the United States, and has no intention of seeing that change, Caliber.Az reports, citing El Pais.

"The United States has a trade surplus with Spain," it noted.

Spanish authorities also stressed that the European Union is a trade bloc and that individual member states cannot be separated from it in commercial matters.

"Bilateral relations between the United States and Spain are beneficial for both countries in both the trade and defence sectors," the government added.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the alliance's summit in Ankara, Trump described Madrid as a "terrible partner" within NATO.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov