President Trump Criticizes Spain's NATO Defense Spending and Vows Trade Punishments

On June 25, 2025, President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of Spain's reluctance to meet NATO’s new defense spending target, calling it 'terrible.' During a press conference in the Netherlands, he announced plans to seek punitive measures in ongoing trade negotiations against Spain for declining to increase its military expenditure alongside other allies.

The NATO summit concluded with leaders agreeing to elevate the defense budget to 5% of national income by 2035, a significant rise from the previous 2%, aiming to bolster collective security.

Trump highlighted this commitment as a major achievement, framing it as a victory for U.S. leadership. Meanwhile, relations between NATO members and the U.S. remain scrutinized, especially as Trump continues to question the alliance's dedication to mutual defense.