US President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iran to end the conflict is “over.” Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Trump responded to a question about the MoU's status: “It's a very interesting question to me. I think it's over.” He added, “I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum.”
Trump Accuses Iran of Lying and Warns of Denuclearization
Trump signaled a complete collapse of diplomatic patience following recent Iranian missile attacks on commercial ships. He described Tehran’s leaders as “liars” and noted that the US “attacked very powerfully last night.” The president asserted that Washington is focused on the total “denuclearization” of Iran, warning that the regime is “crazy” enough to use a nuclear weapon if it obtained one. “Negotiators, they want to negotiate … Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner … but it’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” Trump added. When asked if talks would resume, Trump said Iran “can talk” but is “wasting their time.”
Trump Cuts All Trade with Spain, Calls It a Terrible NATO Partner
Trump announced he is cutting off all trade with Spain, calling it “a terrible partner in NATO.” He said, “We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore. By the way, I'd like you to cut it up. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain.” Trump described Spain as “a wasted cause” and “hostile about it,” intending for Madrid to earn significantly less from the US market due to its lack of contribution to the alliance. “Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits… I don't want to do any more trade with them. All right, take it immediately,” he said.
NATO Burden Sharing and Greenland: Trump's Stance
The US president reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, framing it as a historical necessity. He claimed that after the US protected the territory following the Nazi invasion of Denmark, it was “stupidly” returned. “We shouldn't have given it back to them,” Trump said, asserting that control of Greenland is vital for the “protection of the world” and that the US needs it. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, however, reiterated that the island is “not for sale” and only the people of Greenland can determine its future. She added that Denmark is prepared to defend “every inch of NATO,” including Greenland, if necessary.
During his joint appearance with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump castigated previous US leaders—including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush—for allowing European nations to “free ride.” While Rutte noted an extra $1.2 trillion in allied spending, Trump maintained that the US still pays “far, far too much,” calling the arrangement unfair. Trump also said he is “not happy with NATO” because of “what they did with Greenland.”
Regional Alliances: Praise for Türkiye and China
Contrasting his frustration with some NATO members, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “terrific,” noting that Türkiye is “very strong” and utilizes the best American equipment. He recalled the warm welcome he received during his visit to Türkiye and described the NATO summit in Ankara as “very successful” and a “fantastic meeting.” He also highlighted his diplomacy with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he credited for not supplying equipment to Iran during the war despite China’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for its oil.
