Trump assails Spain over NATO defense spending target
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President Trump, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attends a press conference during NATO summit on June 25. Photo: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump on Wednesday applauded NATO allies' increased defense spending target, patting himself on the back for a "monumental win" for the U.S. — and lambasting Spain for negotiating an exemption.
The big picture: Trump has long demanded that NATO members to commit more to defense spending and for years criticized nations that did not reach the prior 2% benchmark.
- During a particularly inflammatory moment on the 2024 campaign trail, Trump claimed he had told the leader of an unidentified NATO member that he would "encourage" Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to that NATO nation if it were behind on its defense obligations.
Context: NATO leaders on Wednesday released the alliance's hiked spending target, in which allies pledged to invest 5% of gross domestic product on defense by 2035.
- Spain reached a deal with NATO ahead of the summit to be excluded from the new goal but would maintain its commitment to the alliance by spending 2.1% of GDP on defense, the Associated Press reported.
What he's saying: Trump threatened to make Spain "pay twice as much" amid trade negotiations.
- "I think Spain is terrible, what they've done," Trump said at a press conference ahead of his scheduled departure from the NATO summit.
- "You're the only country that is not paying. I don't know what the problem is," he said to a reporter who identified themselves as being from Spain.
- Trump later said he'd negotiate "directly with Spain."
Catch up quick: Spain is part of the European Union, which is negotiating with Washington ahead of a tariff deadline looming in about two weeks.
- Trump signaled a stubborn standoff with the EU last month, writing on Truth Social that he recommends a straight 50% tariff on EU goods. He later pressed pause on that threat until July 9.
By the numbers: A declaration from the alliance about the hiked budget points to the "long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security" and the threat of terrorism.
- The 5% goal is made up of "at least" 3.5% for "core" defense requirements. Allies agreed to submit "annual plans showing a credible, incremental path to reach this goal."
- Up to 1.5% is meant to protect infrastructure, defend networks, ensure "our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base."
Zoom out: The president has long aired grievances against NATO, arguing the U.S. was being ripped off.
- But upon his departure from a summit where he said other world leaders were "so respectful of me," he expressed a softer view.
- "I came here because it was something I'm supposed to be doing, but I left here a little bit different," he said, adding the "love and the passion" members showed for their countries was "unbelievable."
- "They want to protect their country, and they need the United States," he said.
Go deeper: Rubio: All NATO members to agree to 5% defense spending over next decade
