TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The European Union (EU) will deliver a "strong and swift" response if United States President Donald Trump imposes additional tariffs or discriminatory trade measures on Spain, stated a spokesperson for the European Commission.
"If President Trump was to unfairly target Spanish imports into the US for extra tariff treatment or whatever, then that would be considered a very serious escalation, and I think you would certainly see a strong and swift response from the EU side," the spokesperson said on Thursday, as quoted by Anadolu and cited by Antara.
The statement came after Trump threatened to impose a total trade embargo on Spain for refusing to grant permission for the U.S. military to use its base in operations against Iran.
The spokesperson emphasized that although the U.S. statements so far have only been threats, any step to impose additional tariffs on Spanish goods would trigger a coordinated response from the European Union.
The spokesperson said the European Union is striving to remain calm and coordinated in the face of repeated threats from the U.S.
According to the official, previous experiences, including Trump's comments on countries deploying troops in Greenland, demonstrate that a unified European response can be effective.
"We have powerful tools. We do not need to use them, but if necessary, we will. That is our general approach in dealing with President Trump and these types of threats," the spokesperson said.
Support from the President of the European Council
A day earlier, President of the European Council Antonio Costa expressed "full solidarity" of the European Union to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez following the United States' threat over Madrid's stance on Iran.
"I have just held a call with President @sanchezcastejon to express the EU’s full solidarity with Spain," Costa wrote on the U.S. social media platform, X, as reported by Anadolu.
Sanchez had previously rejected "unilateral military action" taken by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, warning that it escalated and contributed to a "more uncertain and hostile international order."
Trump then responded with a threat to cut off trade with Spain, calling it a "terrible" ally, after Madrid refused to allow the U.S. to use its military base in the country to attack Iran.
"The EU will always ensure that the interests of its Member States are fully protected," Costa said.
Costa also reiterated the "bloc's "firm commitment to the principles of international law and the rules-based order everywhere in the world."
Israel and the U.S. announced on Saturday morning that they had carried out a joint military operation against Iran, citing the threat posed by what they described as the Iranian regime.
This attack resulted in damage and casualties of more than 1,230 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family.
Tehran, asserting its right to self-defense, responded with drone attacks and missiles targeting Israel and U.S.-related sites in several Gulf countries, prompting some countries in the region to temporarily close their airspace.
Read: EU to Engage Trump's 'Board of Peace' Amid Internal Split
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Macron Says France to Increase Its Nuclear Arsenal
3 hari lalu
French President Emmanuel Macron wants more nuclear warheads as Europe becomes increasingly wary of its US ally.
Can EU Renewables Outmuscle US Oil and Gas?
5 hari lalu
While Washington gets nostalgic about fossil fuels, European countries are cashing in on efficiency and lowcost renewables.
EU Freezes US Trade Deal Over Tariffs Uncertainty
10 hari lalu
European Union officials are asking the US for clarity on Donald Trump's new 15% tariff before they can move ahead with the deal.
EU to Engage Trump's 'Board of Peace' Amid Internal Split
10 hari lalu
The European Union is set to continue engaging with US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative for Gaza by sending representatives as observers.
US and EU Battle Over Online Censorship
12 hari lalu
Donald Trump's envoy, Sarah Rogers, has attacked the EU's new big tech laws while Europe wrestles with its far-right content problem.
Ireland Launches Data Protection Probe into Grok's Deepfakes
16 hari lalu
This latest investigation, on behalf of the EU, will look into whether X violated the bloc's data protection rules.
Minimum Wages in Europe 2026: List of Highest-Paying Countries
25 hari lalu
The minimum wages in Europe reveal a significant gap between countries, highlighting the diverse standard of living and their economic realities.
Can the EU Take on Musk Over AI "Undressing" Feature?
35 hari lalu
The EU is probing Elon Musk's Grok AI after its deepfake feature generated millions of sexualized images of women and children.
Iran Condemns EU Move to Designate IRGC as Terrorist Group
35 hari lalu
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's decision to label the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
EU Puts Iran Revolutionary Guards on 'Terrorist' List
35 hari lalu
The bloc's foreign ministers are expected to make the symbolic move at a meeting, in response to the brutal clampdown on protests in Iran.
