A new wave of tension between the US and Spain has erupted in Washington. Donald Trump, while in the Oval Office with Finnish leader Alex Stubb, unexpectedly raised the question of Spain’s role in the North Atlantic Alliance. The reason was Madrid’s reluctance to increase military spending to 5% of GDP, as agreed at the summit in The Hague (La Haya) earlier this year.
The American president did not hide his irritation: he recalled that almost all member countries supported the new benchmark, but Spain stood aside. According to him, if Madrid does not change its position, its continued membership in the alliance should be reconsidered. Such remarks were voiced openly for the first time, causing noticeable tension among European partners.
The Spanish government, in turn, was quick to reassure the public of its confidence and commitment to its obligations. Officials in Madrid emphasize that the country remains a full and responsible member of NATO, and its contribution to collective security is on par with that of other members. Nevertheless, the percentage of GDP allocated to defense remains a sticking point.
Trump has previously criticized allies for insufficient defense spending, but until now it was only about the possibility of the US leaving the alliance. Now, for the first time, the idea of excluding a specific country has been raised. Spain, on its part, insists it offsets lower expenditures with active participation in missions and the development of military capabilities.
At the summit in The Hague, the US president refused to sign the documents unconditionally, unlike other leaders. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez adopted a more cautious strategy, trying not to escalate the conflict despite domestic political challenges. As a result, Madrid agreed with the general objectives but did not commit to the 5% target.
Debate continues within NATO over how to calculate defense spending. Many countries, including Spain, propose factoring in expenditures on cybersecurity, climate projects, and infrastructure. This would formally bring them closer to meeting new standards without directly increasing the military budget. However, some allies remain skeptical of this approach.
The debate over defense funding has been ongoing for several years. Back in 2014, the member states agreed to increase spending to 2% of GDP, but by 2025 most have still not reached this goal. According to experts, Trump’s new demands could lead to further divisions within the alliance and cast doubt on its unity in the face of external threats.
