The restoration of full US diplomatic representation in Spain could influence key decisions in defense, economic, and political spheres. After a long hiatus, the American side is returning its ambassador to Madrid amid a noticeable cooling of relations between the two countries. The Spanish government and business community are closely monitoring this event, anticipating changes on a number of sensitive issues.
Benjamín León Jr., the new head of the US mission, will assume his duties as early as next week. His arrival coincides with a period when Spanish authorities and the Royal Palace are preparing for official ceremonies: Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares will meet with the diplomat on Tuesday, and on Wednesday León will present his credentials to the king along with six other new ambassadors. Thus, the American representative will be ready to start work almost immediately upon arrival.
Diplomacy and pressure
The appointment of León Jr. was not without political nuance. Donald Trump proposed his candidacy back in January 2025, but Senate approval in the US was delayed for almost a year. The new ambassador is an experienced entrepreneur and philanthropist with roots in the Canary Islands, raised in Cuba and the United States. During Senate hearings, he openly criticized the Spanish government’s stance on military spending, calling the refusal to raise the defense budget to 5% of GDP “a serious mistake,” and pledged to push for a review of this decision.
In recent months, Washington has issued threats against Madrid, including the possibility of excluding Spain from NATO or imposing unilateral trade restrictions. The reason is the Spanish authorities’ reluctance to comply with new defense funding demands. Despite tough statements, none of these measures have been implemented so far, but the tension remains.
Military contracts and disputes
The situation is further complicated by domestic conflicts. In Spain, a heated debate has erupted over the allocation of multi-billion contracts for the production of new self-propelled artillery systems. The American company Santa Bárbara Sistemas, which is part of the European structure General Dynamics, is challenging the Ministry of Defense’s decision to prioritize local firms Indra and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering. The company has filed complaints with ministries and the Supreme Court, demanding a review of the terms and accusing the authorities of granting preferential loans to competitors.
These disagreements are intensifying tensions between Madrid and Washington, especially with the upcoming anniversary events in the US. The Spanish training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano and the Dédalo expedition group are set to visit New York for the 250th anniversary of US independence, but plans for a visit by the Spanish monarchs to America have been postponed due to ongoing disputes.
Maritime restrictions and sanctions
An additional source of friction is the position of the US Federal Maritime Commission, which is investigating the ban on American ships carrying arms for Israel from entering Spanish ports. This could result in significant sanctions against Spanish port operators, potentially harming the country’s economic interests and further complicating relations with US authorities.
All this is unfolding as both sides attempt to maintain dialogue and avoid further escalation. Spanish officials and business leaders are closely monitoring the situation, aware that the return of the US ambassador could mark the start of a new phase in cooperation or a trigger for new conflicts.
In recent years, diplomatic relations between Spain and the United States have faced several challenges. In 2023, the focus was on military presence and joint exercises, while 2024 saw trade disputes and export restrictions. Such situations have often led to temporary tensions, but both sides have consistently returned to dialogue. The appointment of a new ambassador in Madrid may represent another attempt to bring the parties closer together, despite ongoing disagreements on key issues.
