Scott Bessent Accuses Supposed European Ally Of Putting ‘American Lives At Risk’

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed Wednesday that Madrid “put American lives at risk” when it halted the U.S. from using jointly operated military bases in Spain to launch attacks against Iran.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants to “cut off” all trade with Spain in response to the country’s refusal to allow the U.S. to utilize the jointly-run bases. Bessent also said during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that the president’s frustration with Spain “is justified.” 

“President Trump’s frustration with the Spanish government is justified, that first of all, they have been terrible actors,” Bessent said. “They are the only NATO member not meeting their NATO requirement. That’s known as a free rider.”

“And then it was unacceptable over the weekend that the Spanish were highly uncooperative regarding the U.S. bases and what we could do with our planes as we began executing on Operation Epic Fury,” he added.

Bessent also told CNBC that “anything that slows down our ability to engage and prosecute this war in the fastest, most effective manner puts American lives at risk,” adding “the Spanish put American lives at risk.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez