International Desk, (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump criticized Spain’s financial contributions to NATO on Friday, claiming the country has “always paid very little” and reaffirmed his proposal for all members, except the United States, to spend 5% of their GDP on defense.
Speaking to reporters upon arriving in New Jersey, Trump said Spain “should pay the same as everyone else” and called out Canada as another country that, from his point of view, benefits from US protection without paying its fair share.
“Spain has always paid very little. NATO will have to deal with that,” said Trump. “Either Spain has been a good negotiator or they haven’t done the right thing.”
Trump added: “You know who else has paid very little? A place called Canada. They said, ‘Why should we pay when the US can protect us for free?’”
The president’s comments come just days before the NATO Summit in the Hague, scheduled for June 24-26, where Trump is expected to push for a major increase in defense spending by alliance members.
White House backs 5% proposal
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also defended the 5% target.
“The president wants every European country to pay their fair share and reach that 5% threshold,” Leavitt told reporters.
“It’s only fair, considering American taxpayers have already contributed billions to our mutual defense,” she added.
Leavitt stressed that while she had not seen Spain’s latest position, Trump’s priorities for NATO allies, Spain included, were clear.
“He will speak about this directly, but he has always emphasized the importance of a strong and balanced alliance,” she said.
Trump believes the current 2% target is “ridiculous,” arguing that most members are financially capable of contributing more.
“We’ve supported NATO for a long time, sometimes paying nearly 100% of the cost. I don’t think we should keep doing that,” he said Friday.
Spain pushes back: 5% is ‘irrational’
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has officially rejected the idea of increasing Spain’s defense spending to 5%, calling it “irrational and counterproductive.”
In a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Sánchez proposed a more flexible approach in the summit declaration, suggesting that the 5% goal be optional or that Spain be excluded altogether.
“For Spain, reaching 5% would be incompatible with our welfare system and our vision of the world,” Sánchez wrote. He warned that such a commitment would mean raising taxes on the middle class or cutting public services and social programs.
While acknowledging the security threat posed by Russia, Sánchez emphasized that Spain already plans to reach the 2% mark this year and has one of the highest annual increases in defense spending among NATO countries.
He also noted that Spain plays a vital role in NATO operations, contributing key military command centers and hosting American AEGIS destroyers at the Rota Naval Base, assets critical for NATO’s missile defense system.
“Spain will continue fulfilling its duties and contributing to European security,” Sánchez stated. “But we cannot agree to a fixed GDP-based spending goal at this summit.”
int-seo/mcd