Trump Attacks Spain as Democrats Rally in Barcelona
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Donald Trump lambasted Spain's government at the Barcelona summit on April 18, 2026, accusing it of 'weakening national security' amid his own legal scrutiny over security justifications.
- US Democrats took part in the Global Progressive Mobilisation rally in Barcelona, aligning with European leftists and endorsing progressive policies.
- Pedro Sanchez embraced Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the event's close, a moment the New York Times framed as a political lifeline for the Spanish premier.
- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the summit, reinforcing Brazil-Spain ties and signaling support for the progressive agenda.
Why it matters: Donald Trump’s attack on Spain gives Pedro Sanchez a boost just as Trump faces a $20 billion legal showdown over national-security claims, tightening his political isolation and strengthening the European-US progressive bloc ahead of the 2026 elections.
