U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited tensions within NATO, suggesting that Spain could be expelled from the alliance over what he called its “lagging” military spending.
The remarks came during an Oval Office meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, where Trump warned European allies to pressure Madrid into meeting NATO’s new 5% of GDP defense spending target a benchmark championed by Trump earlier this year to strengthen Europe’s self-defense capabilities.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected the target, calling it “incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision.” Spain currently spends around 1.3% of its GDP on defense, well below both the current NATO benchmark (2%) and Trump’s new proposed threshold.
Why It Matters
This confrontation highlights a growing rift between Washington and key European allies over burden-sharing and defense priorities.
If Spain a founding member of the European Union and a key player in southern Europe’s security architecture were ever sidelined, it would undermine NATO’s geographic and political cohesion.
Trump’s remarks also come as he continues to reshape U.S. foreign policy through leverage politics, signaling that allies failing to meet his defense expectations could face real consequences.
Global Reactions
Europe: Several EU diplomats privately warned that Trump’s comments risk “politicizing NATO solidarity” at a time when Europe faces security threats from both Russia and instability in North Africa.
Spain: Officials in Madrid downplayed the remarks, framing them as campaign-style rhetoric.U.S.
Analysts: Defense experts note that while Trump cannot unilaterally expel a NATO member, his words carry political weight that could erode alliance trust.
What’s Next
NATO officials are expected to discuss Trump’s comments privately ahead of the upcoming defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
While no formal move against Spain is anticipated, pressure from Washington is likely to intensify, especially if other allies fall short of Trump’s new target.
With information from Reuters.
