President Donald Trump sharply criticized Spain during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, urging the United States to cut off all trade with the European country over its failure to meet defense spending targets. Trump called Spain "a wasted cause" and demanded, "Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits."

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump accused Spain of not paying its fair share and treating Rutte "terribly," stating the U.S. should not carry Spain's defense burden. Spain remains the only NATO member that has not committed to spending 5% of its GDP on defense by 2030, a target pushed by Trump and agreed upon by NATO allies at last year's summit in The Hague.

In response, sources at Moncloa Palace, the Spanish prime minister's office, told Madrid's El Dario newspaper that Spain "maintains an excellent social, cultural, and economic relationship with the U.S., and it is not our intention for that to change."

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former fierce critic of Trump, made a notable admission on Wednesday, stating that Trump has "won the argument" on NATO defense spending. Carney credited years of U.S. pressure for prompting Canada and European allies to take on a greater share of the alliance's security burden. He noted that Canada was spending about 1.4% of its GDP on defense when his government took office and is on track to reach 4% before the end of the decade under NATO's accounting standards.

Canada has announced new defense investments including a submarine procurement program, an agreement to use Telesat's Lightspeed satellite constellation for secure Arctic military communications, and an approximately $800 million contract for Joint Strike Missiles for its future fighter aircraft.

Carney said he spoke with Trump before the NATO summit and observed that members increasingly recognize the need to boost military spending amid ongoing security threats from Russia. "It's not just that he's winning the argument — he's won the argument," Carney told reporters.

Trump's frustration with NATO allies also extends to their support for the U.S. war effort in Iran, with Spain singled out for its refusal to commit to the defense spending target and cooperation on military actions.

Notable Quotes

  • "It's not just that he's winning the argument — he's won the argument," said Mark Carney.
  • "Countries realize they need to take more responsibility. They see the direct threats."
  • "The president is looking for a shift of the burden within NATO. That's appropriate."
  • "That is happening. It is gaining momentum."
  • "He's attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed and we won't." (Carney on Trump in 2025)

Sources