At the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an immediate cessation of all trade with Spain, labeling the nation a "terrible partner" within the alliance. Trump criticized Spain for not meeting NATO's defense spending target of 5% of GDP and for declining to allow the U.S. to use its airspace and military bases during operations in Iran. He instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to sever all economic ties with Spain, including trade and diplomatic visits. "Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," Trump stated during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
In response, Spanish officials expressed calmness, emphasizing that Spain has already achieved a defense spending of 2% of GDP, ranking seventh among NATO's 32 members. They also noted that NATO's technical projections suggest a spending of 2.1% is sufficient to meet its commitments.
This development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Spain, highlighting ongoing disputes over defense spending and military cooperation within NATO.