- Trump brands Spain a 'wasted cause' and has ordered a trade cut-off at the NATO summit in Ankara, targeting Spain's refusal to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.
- Trump instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to 'cut off all trade' with Spain, describing it as a 'terrible' partner within the Atlantic Alliance.
- Spain's government has prepared for this scenario and is taking Trump's snubs with relative 'calm'.
- Despite US demands, Spain points out that it has already reached 2% of GDP in defense spending, ranking seventh among NATO's 32 members.
President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Spain at the NATO summit in Ankara, branding the country a 'wasted cause' and ordering a trade cut-off due to its refusal to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. Trump stated, "Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," reflecting his frustration with European allies over defense commitments.
This confrontation is not new; Trump had previously threatened economic reprisals against Spain after the government blocked the use of military bases for U.S. operations in Iran. Sources close to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez indicated they were prepared for Trump's remarks, maintaining a stance of relative calm despite the president's attacks.
Spain currently allocates 2% of its GDP to defense, ranking seventh among NATO's 32 members. The Spanish government argues that NATO's technical projections suggest that a spending level of 2.1% is sufficient to meet its commitments, countering Trump's demands. Sánchez arrived at the summit equipped with data to respond to the U.S. president's criticisms, emphasizing Spain's commitment to NATO while navigating the complexities of international relations amid Trump's aggressive stance.
“Trump made the remarks during a joint press appearance with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara. Spain's government, which had prepared talking points, insists it already spends 2% of GDP on defense and projects reaching 2.1%.”
Euronews.com
