President Donald Trump sharply criticized Spain during the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Ankara, Turkey, accusing the European ally of failing to meet its obligations within the alliance and suggesting the United States should halt trade with the country.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before meetings with alliance leaders, Trump described Spain as an unreliable NATO partner and questioned its commitment to collective defense.
Trump Calls for End to Trade With Spain
During his remarks, Trump argued that Spain had not contributed sufficiently to NATO and said the United States should reconsider its economic relationship with the country.
The president claimed Spain did not adequately participate in the alliance or meet expected defense spending levels, adding that he wanted trade ties with Spain cut off. He also suggested Spain would eventually seek to restore commercial relations if such measures were imposed.
Trump further accused the Spanish government of maintaining a hostile attitude toward both the United States and NATO, saying that approach would become difficult to sustain if economic consequences followed.
Defense Spending Dispute Fuels Latest Clash
The latest exchange stems from a long-running disagreement over NATO defense spending targets.
Spain, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has resisted calls to adopt higher military spending goals backed by the United States and several other alliance members.
While NATO discussions have centered on increasing defense expenditures toward 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, Spain has argued that spending levels closer to its existing commitments—around 2.1% of GDP—better reflect its national priorities.
Spanish officials have maintained that balancing defense needs with funding for domestic programs remains essential, while Trump has repeatedly argued that all allies should shoulder a greater share of NATO’s security costs.
Previous Disagreements Extended Beyond NATO Funding
Relations between Washington and Madrid have also been strained over military cooperation involving the conflict with Iran.
Earlier this year, Spain declined to authorize the use of the jointly operated U.S.-Spanish military bases at Rota and Morón for operations connected to U.S. strikes against Iran. The Spanish government also restricted its airspace from being used by American military aircraft involved in those missions.
Spanish leaders defended those decisions by arguing that deeper involvement could escalate regional tensions, while the Trump administration criticized the restrictions and previously warned that trade consequences could follow.
Longstanding Friction Between Washington and Madrid
The dispute reflects broader tensions that have developed between the Trump administration and Sánchez’s government over defense policy and alliance responsibilities.
At previous NATO meetings, Spain emerged as one of the few members seeking greater flexibility on defense spending commitments, while most allies endorsed higher investment targets supported by Secretary General Mark Rutte and the United States.
Trump has consistently argued that the United States bears a disproportionate share of NATO’s defense burden and has urged member states to significantly increase military spending to strengthen the alliance.
