Trump urges cutting off all trade with Spain at NATO summit
by Joe Fisher · UPIJuly 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday at the NATO summit that he wants to cut off all trade with Spain, calling it a "wasted cause."
Trump's criticized Spain for its defense spending, calling it a "terrible partner," while at the summit in Ankara, Turkey.
"Spain is a wasted cause," he said. "We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore by the way. 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."
Trump was seated with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte when he made the comments.
The president's latest remarks are a continuation of his tiff with Spain over defense spending. Spain is the one member of NATO that did not commit at least 5% of its GDP to defense spending by 2035 last year.
Rutte commended Spain for increasing its defense spending last year, crediting Trump for encouraging it.
"You got Spain to pay 2%," Rutte said. "They spent. They made a huge step in last year."
Spain spent 2.1% of its GDP on defense in 2025, an increase from 1.4% in 2021.
Trump has also been critical of NATO as a whole over other member nations not contributing to the level of the United States historically.
This week in Washington
News anchors are seen outside the Supreme Court of the United States as the court releases their final opinions before summer recess on Tuesday. The court upheld birthright citizenship and also state laws banning transgender women and girls from playing on school athletic teams. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo