At the NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Donald Trump sent a clear message: Allies who enjoy American protection must pay their fair share or face economic consequences.
In a bold statement during a press conference, Trump blasted Spain for refusing to commit to NATO’s updated defense spending target of 5% of GDP by 2035. “Spain is doing well economically,” Trump noted, “but that economy could take a hit if something goes wrong. And they’re not pulling their weight.”
Unlike other NATO members who agreed to the new standard, Spain has so far balked, despite rising global threats from Russia and terrorism. Trump made it clear he won’t let that slide.
“We’re working on a trade deal with Spain, and they’re going to pay twice as much,” Trump said. “They want the benefits of NATO without paying for it. That’s not how it works anymore—not under my watch.”
While Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez insisted that 2% of GDP was “sufficient,” Trump isn’t buying it. “They want a free ride,” he said, “but I’m not going to let that happen. America has been footing the bill for too long.”
This move aligns with Trump’s broader America First agenda—holding global partners accountable while protecting U.S. taxpayers. Under his leadership, NATO has faced unprecedented pressure to increase defense spending, and Trump has never shied away from using trade as a tool to enforce fairness.
With his firm stance, Trump once again proves he’s not afraid to ruffle feathers to defend American interests. Allies are on notice: contribute to collective defense, or expect consequences where it hurts most—in the marketplace.