US President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that the NATO alliance should consider expelling Spain over its refusal to meet the bloc’s new defence spending threshold, escalating tensions within the Western security pact.
Members of NATO agreed in June to boost military expenditure to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) a move championed by Trump, who has long pressed European allies to spend more on their own defence.
But Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected the proposal at the time, calling the target “incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision.”
During an Oval Office meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Trump told reporters that NATO allies must pressure Madrid to fall in line.
“You people are gonna have to start speaking to Spain,” Trump said. “You have to call them and find why are they a laggard.”
He continued, “They have no excuse not to do this, but that’s alright. Maybe you should throw ’em out of NATO frankly.”
In response, a Spanish government source reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to the alliance and urged calm amid the diplomatic flare-up.
The source said Spain “remains a full member of NATO” and “meets its capability targets just as the United States.”
Spain joined NATO in 1982 and remains an active participant in the alliance’s collective defence structure.
The dispute comes at a time when the 32-member bloc is under renewed strain following Russia’s invasion of Ukrainein 2022 the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
Trump’s remarks are likely to heighten debate within NATO over defence burden-sharing and Washington’s future role in European security should he return to office.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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