US President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Spain during the NATO Summit in Turkey on Wednesday, branding the US partnership with Madrid a 'wasted cause' and threatening to sever trade ties. Speaking beside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump declared, 'We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way,' according to the BBC.
'Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate. They don't pay,' Trump continued. 'I don't want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits. Watch them come running back. Oh, they'll come running back.'
Renewed push for Greenland
The US president also revived his controversial bid to acquire Greenland, a demand that earlier this year strained relations between the US and NATO allies. Trump's outburst at the summit comes amid ongoing tensions over Spain's refusal to increase defense spending to 5% of its GDP and its opposition to the US war with Iran.
In March, Madrid refused to allow joint military bases on its territory for operations against Iran and was vocal in its opposition to the conflict. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the US and Israeli initial strikes on Iran as 'unjustified' and a 'dangerous military intervention' outside international law.
Defense spending dispute
Trump is also displeased by Spain's refusal to meet the 5% GDP defense spending target. Sanchez called this demand 'unreasonable and counterproductive.' Spain spent 2% of its GDP on defense in 2025. Trump accused Madrid of treating NATO Secretary-General Rutte 'terribly,' while asking Rutte to stop 'carrying' Spain.
'I mean, you sort of automatically carry [Spain] because you're protecting an area,' Trump said. 'So they probably figured, “they have to protect us, right?”'
Sanchez downplays tensions
Despite Trump's harsh words, Sanchez insisted after the summit that relations with the US remain 'very positive.' He claimed to have had an informal chat with Trump, saying, 'We talked about the World Cup… there was no tension whatsoever. On the contrary, it was all very friendly.'
