Trump Considers Trade Penalties for Spain over NATO Spending
Donald Trump has announced potential trade penalties for Spain following its refusal to commit to NATO's new defense spending target.
The Standoff
The disagreement stems from NATO's recent agreement to more than double the defense spending target from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035. Trump voiced his discontent at a press conference during the NATO summit in the Netherlands.
Trump stated, "We're negotiating with Spain on a trade deal and we're going to make them pay twice as much — and I'm actually serious about that."
Spain's Position
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had previously stated that Spain considers its current defense spending of 2% of GDP as "sufficient, realistic and compatible with the welfare state."
The Implications
Trump's comments suggest a potential shift in U.S.-Spain trade relations, hinging on Spain's willingness to increase its defense spending.
