The United States government is set to weigh in on Spain's arbitration dispute with NextEra Energy Resources, and if the Solicitor General approves of Spain's petition, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has pointedly made himself an enemy of President Donald Trump, would secure a political victory.
As we have covered, the Spanish government previously contracted NextEra and Blasket Renewable Investments to build up the Iberian country's green energy infrastructure.
However, Spain is refusing to repay the money, claiming immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) despite the Supreme Court and other international courts holding that the debt must be honored.
Prime Minister Sánchez seems to be making a point of not paying the United States specifically, as his Socialist Workers' government honored a similar debt to a Japanese green energy company called Eurus.
Why? Because Sánchez is a self-avowed enemy of President Trump, leading an April conference of other left-wing leaders in Barcelona, such as Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, all of whom have similarly feuded with Trump.
"It doesn't matter how much they scream, or how many lies they spread," Sánchez said. "The time for the reactionary, ultra-right has come to an end."
As a result, the Departments of State and Justice cannot grant Spain's writ of certiorari (a demand that the case be reviewed), lest they grant Sánchez a political win that validates his claims against U.S. policy, the legitimacy of U.S. courts, and broader national security.
Trump is not the only American official unhappy with Spain, as gubernatorial candidate Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) told The Floridian in April that "Spain has proven to be a deadbeat partner, not only by refusing to pay Florida-based companies like NextEra what they are legally owed, but by blocking our military access after the Iran strikes. It's time for Spain to pay their bills and respect our nation."
Similarly, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) told us, "Spain should respect the rule of law and meet its obligations. They should also take what President Trump says seriously because he has shown time and again that he will do what he says he will do. Under Trump's leadership, we have shown the world that we will treat friends as friends and enemies as enemies."
