"Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate and don't contribute. I don't want anything to do with Spain. Let's cut off all trade with them, including visits," US President Donald Trump said today during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara, Turkey.

The US leader did not specify the duration of the complete trade suspension with Spain. He added that there were "a few other countries" but emphasized that all criticism was directed at Spain.

President Trump at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Turkey on 8/7. *AP*.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte later interrupted Trump to de-escalate the situation, telling the US president, "You've already made Spain spend 2%," referring to the country spending over 2% of its GDP on defense. "They have spent and made great progress last year," Rutte said, adding that "issues we still need to resolve" remain concerning Spain.

The office of the Spanish Prime Minister stated that they considered Trump's remarks "business as usual," affirming that bilateral relations benefit both countries.

This is the latest development in the dispute between President Trump and Spanish officials regarding defense spending. Spain is the only NATO member that has not committed to spending 5% of its GDP on defense by 2035.

According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Spain spent 2,1% of its GDP on defense in 2025, an increase from 1,4% in 2021, but still lower than most European countries.

Ngoc Anh (According to Reuters, AFP)