The article from El País critiques Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric towards Spain, framing it as a diplomatic incident that lacks substantial credibility. It argues that Trump's threats to sever trade ties with Spain, a NATO ally and EU member, underscore a shift in US foreign policy, which seems to favour coercion over mutual cooperation. The author presents this situation as indicative of Trump's geopolitical strategy, characterized by dominating relationships where allies are treated as subordinates rather than equals.

The piece emphasizes the absurdity of threatening a traditional ally over Spain's refusal to partake in what is deemed an illegal attack on Iran, suggesting that such tactics reflect a broader decline in US-European relations. By portraying Trump's rhetoric as mere fanfare lacking in genuine intent, the article posits that these threats do little more than create noise without resulting in actionable change. The assertion that Spain would face higher tariffs than other European countries, previous threats which remained unexecuted, also supports the claim of Trump's statements being exaggerated and lacking real consequence.

Overall, the article calls attention to a worrying trend in how the US approaches its alliances, treating them as hierarchical rather than collaborative. It urges a reconsideration of how these dynamics impact global politics and the need for Europe to recognize its sovereignty in the face of such rhetoric. The lack of credibility in Trump's threats, coupled with the historical context of US-European alliances, evokes skepticism about future diplomatic relations.