MADRID, March 10 (Reuters) - Relations between Spain and the United States are "operating normally" despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to cut trade with Madrid over its opposition to the
Spain-US Relations Remain Stable Despite Trade Threats from Trump
Current State and Challenges in Spain-US Diplomatic Relations
Normal Operations Amid Political Tensions
MADRID, March 10 (Reuters) - Relations between Spain and the United States are "operating normally" despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to cut trade with Madrid over its opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, the Spanish foreign minister said on Tuesday.
The leftist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez drew Trump's ire last week after rejecting the war as reckless and illegal while banning U.S. aircraft from using jointly operated bases in southern Spain in the offensive against Tehran.
Diplomatic Communications
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters both Spain's embassy in Washington and the U.S. embassy in Madrid were operating with "absolute normalcy".
"Our embassy in Washington is operating normally and has all the contacts it should have as usual," he said, adding that the same applied to the U.S. embassy in Madrid.
Trade and Defense Disputes
Trump's Trade Embargo Threats
Trump threatened on March 3 to impose a full trade embargo on Madrid, also citing the latter's refusal to meet NATO's new defence spending target of 5% of national output.
Spain later defied those threats, with its deputy premier saying they refused to be "vassals".
US Military Bases in Spain
Calls for Relocation
On Monday, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina - a close Trump ally - told Fox News Spain had "lost its way" and called for the U.S. to move its air bases from Spain "into a country that'll let us use them".
Official Response
Asked about Graham's remarks, Albares said there had not been any contact with the U.S. about the bases in Rota and Moron de la Frontera, which are key logistical hubs used by NATO forces for air-to-air refueling and intercontinental transit.
Spain's Position on Middle East Conflicts
Stance on Lebanon and Humanitarian Aid
Albares also said a potential Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon would be a "tremendous" mistake, while also demanding that the Iran-backed Shia militia Hezbollah stop its rocket launches towards Israel.
He added that Spain would send humanitarian aid worth 9 million euros ($10.5 million) to Lebanon, where at least 500 people have been killed and 700,000 forcibly displaced from their homes, according to Beirut and UNICEF.
($1 = 0.8601 euros)
(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee and Paolo Laudani; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Emma Pinedo and Gareth Jones)
