Madrid: Spain has responded calmly to US President Donald Trump's threat to cut off trade with the country, saying it remains committed to maintaining strong ties with Washington despite his sharp criticism at the NATO summit.

Spanish government sources said Madrid was treating Trump's remarks "calmly and normally", adding that it had no intention of allowing the dispute to affect its relationship with the United States.

"Our country maintains a magnificent social, cultural and economic relationship with the United States and it is not our intention for that to change," the government sources said.

Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit, where he criticised several allies over defence spending and support during the recent conflict involving Iran. He singled out Spain, describing it as a "terrible partner in NATO".

"We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," Trump said, adding that he had asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut it off."

The US president argued that Washington continues to spend disproportionately on NATO while European allies contribute less towards collective defence. He also expressed disappointment over what he said was a lack of support from NATO members during the recent tensions involving Iran, which he again described as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism.

Trump also renewed his interest in Greenland, insisting the Arctic island remains strategically important to the United States. He said Greenland was vital for global security and claimed it was more valuable to the US than to Denmark.

However, Denmark once again rejected any suggestion of giving up the autonomous territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland is "not for sale".

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the United States and Denmark would continue discussions on strengthening cooperation and the American military presence in the Arctic, while respecting existing agreements.

The exchange came as NATO leaders met to discuss increasing defence spending and reinforcing the alliance's collective security commitments. European allies have sought to assure Trump that member nations are stepping up defence investments, as the alliance faces growing security challenges.

With agency inputs