Breaking News: President Trump of the United States has just stated: "Immediately cut off all trade relations with Spain, and suspend people-to-people exchanges as well. Wait and see—they will soon panic and beg for mercy. The Spanish leadership will surely come knocking on our door. Their treatment of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has been extremely disgraceful."

The office of the Prime Minister of Spain issued a statement regarding Trump's order to cut off trade: "Spain regards such remarks as the usual exaggerated rhetoric from the U.S., and will treat them with composure. Spain shares deep social, cultural, and economic ties with the United States, and we have no intention of changing this status quo."

Commentary: Trump, feeling personally humiliated because Spain refused to cooperate—let alone criticizing U.S. actions against Iran, and unwilling as a NATO member to significantly increase military spending—has unleashed an ultimatum threatening total trade cutoff and suspension of travel, believing that economic pressure alone can force Spain to capitulate. This is nothing but his habitual tactic of extreme brinkmanship. However, Spain remains clear-headed, recognizing this as merely Trump’s typical emotional outburst. Thus, they calmly dismiss it as another instance of Trump’s usual hyperbolic statements, emphasizing that the multiple layers of connection between Spain and the U.S. are not easily shaken. They neither panic under threats nor seek confrontation, instead defusing America’s high-pressure intimidation with calm and steady resolve.

When the news first broke, Spain’s stock market immediately declined. Export sectors such as wine and auto parts became anxious, and short-term challenges like rising energy prices loomed. However, this does not constitute a fatal blow. Over 70% of Spain’s exports go to other EU countries; the U.S. ranks only sixth among its trading partners, and U.S. exports account for less than 5% of Spain’s total exports, indicating very low dependency on the U.S. Moreover, Spain can rely on collective countermeasures from the EU. If the U.S. were to fully cut off trade, both sides would suffer.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870139751633993/

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