Trump Demands Trade Embargo Against Spain Over NATO Defense Spending at Ankara Summit

President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Spain at a NATO summit in Ankara, calling for a complete trade embargo against the alliance member and labeling it a "wasted cause" over defense spending commitments. The remarks represent a dramatic intensification of Trump's ongoing dispute with Madrid over its refusal to meet new NATO military expenditure benchmarks.

The Core Dispute

During a news conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump demanded that the United States sever all trade ties with Spain. "Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate. They don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits," he stated. The president further characterized Spanish leadership as "hopeless, bad people" and suggested the country was not worth diplomatic engagement.

The central issue driving Trump's outburst stems from NATO's new defense spending framework, which calls on member states to invest 5 percent of their gross domestic product toward defense and defense-related expenditures. Spain stands as the only alliance member to publicly reject committing to this full target. The country negotiated a carve-out agreement, allowing it flexibility in how it will meet NATO capability goals rather than adhering to the specific spending percentage.

Spain's Defense Contribution

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data, Spain spent 2.1 percent of its gross domestic product on defense in 2025, an increase from 1.4 percent in 2021. While NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged this progress, stating that Spain "made a huge step in last year," Trump dismissed the improvement and continued his assault on the nation's commitment levels.

Trump suggested that Spain would eventually seek to restore commercial relations with the United States. "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," he said, predicting that Spanish officials would eventually approach Washington requesting renewed trade arrangements.

Response and Broader Context

The Spanish prime minister's office characterized Trump's comments as routine diplomatic friction, stating that bilateral relations between both countries remained mutually beneficial in trade and defense matters. The remarks reflect Trump's broader dissatisfaction with NATO, though he praised Secretary-General Rutte as "a great leader." This conflict represents the latest in a series of personal feuds with various international allies that have shaped Trump's foreign policy approach.