Pres. Trump gave Spain an ultimatum at a NATO summit in the Netherlands Wednesday, when it became the lone member nation refusing to sign an agreement to increase defense spending.
Earlier in the day, all other NATO nations pledged to increase defense spending from two percent of GDP to five percent, prompting Trump to warn Spain that it’s effort to get “a free ride” would end up costing it “twice as much”:
“Spain is the only country – out of all other countries – that refuses to pay.
“So, they want a little of a free ride. But, they’ll have to pay it back to us on trade. I’m not going to let that happen. It’s unfair.”
“So, we’ll make it up,” Trump explained:
“When we’re negotiating with Spain on a trade deal, we’re going to make them pay twice as much. And I’m actually serious about that. We’re going to make them pay twice as much.”
Trump is currently in trade negotiations with the European Union (EU), of which Spain is a member, particularly regarding the exorbitantly high tariffs European nations charge on American goods. Pres. Trump is offering to reduce the “reciprocal tariffs” he imposed earlier in the year, if the EU nations lower the percentage they’re currently imposing on U.S. exports.
Spain can afford to increase its spending on defense, since its economy is “doing very well,” Trump noted. But, “that economy could be blown out of the water when something bad happens” and threatens Europe’s security, Trump warned.
President Trump rips into Spain for refusing to increase NATO spending.
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) June 25, 2025
"I think Spain's terrible what they've done, they are the only Country that won't pay 5%" pic.twitter.com/WD5JGnc2WU
Pres. Trump deserves sole credit for the nearly-unanimous agreement to increase defense spending, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said earlier at the meeting.
"Would you ever think that this would be the result of this summit, if he would not have been reelected president?” Rutte said, noting that several NATO countries had previously expressed doubt that they would agree to spend even two percent on defense.
🚨 JUST IN: The Secretary General of NATO gave President Trump a HUGE praise and said the countries should be THANKING him for strengthening NATO.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 25, 2025
"I mean, would you EVER think that this would be the result of this summit if he would not have been reelected president?"
"Do you… pic.twitter.com/BYgZmi03Br