US President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Spain during the NATO summit in Ankara, calling the country a 'wasted cause' and threatening to sever all trade ties. Trump's outburst came as Spain refused to commit to increased spending for the military alliance, where the US is the largest contributor.
Trump's Remarks
Trump said: 'Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain.' He continued to disparage the country led by left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: '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.'
Spain's Response
Sánchez's office reacted to Trump's remarks, stating it has no plans to change its relationship with the US. The tension was sparked earlier when Spain closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in the military operation in Iran in March, a move that Sánchez labeled as an 'illegal war.'
NATO Spending Dispute
Spain plans to spend 2.1% of its GDP on NATO targets, significantly less than the 5% target by 2035 that the US has pushed for. Trump's threat to cut trade ties underscores the growing rift within the alliance over defense spending.
Iran Conflict
Meanwhile, attempts to make peace in Iran appear to have collapsed after fighting in the Gulf region resumed. US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain came under fire from Iran, which said it carried out the attacks in retaliation to a ceasefire violation.
