US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Spain during the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, calling the country a "wasted cause" and announcing that the United States would cease trade with Spain. Speaking to reporters alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump accused Spain of being a "terrible partner" in the alliance and failing to meet its defence spending commitments.
Trump's criticism of Spanish defence spending
"Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way," Trump said. He added, "Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain." Spain is the only NATO member that has refused to commit to the alliance's new defence spending target of 5 per cent of GDP by 2035, which was set at the 2025 Summit in The Hague. Madrid secured an exemption allowing it to cap military spending at 2.1 per cent of GDP, making it one of the lowest spenders in the alliance.
Broader context of US-NATO tensions
Trump's comments are part of his ongoing pressure on European allies to increase their defence contributions. He has repeatedly criticized NATO members for relying disproportionately on the US for security. In recent months, Trump has specifically targeted Spain over foreign policy differences. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly criticized US military action against Iran, and Spain barred the use of US military facilities in southern Spain for strikes on Iran, further straining bilateral ties.
Trump's harsh words for Spanish government
Continuing his criticism, Trump called the Spanish government "hopeless" and "bad people," stating, "Don't even talk to them. They're hopeless, bad people. They make so much money with us, and we're going to see that they make a lot less. I want no business with them." The remarks underscore the deteriorating relationship between the US and Spain under Trump's leadership.
