President Donald Trump intensified pressure over NATO funding during the alliance’s summit, fueling a Spain Trade Dispute after criticizing Spain’s defense spending position.
Speaking at the summit, Trump repeatedly criticized Spain. He described the country as a “wasted cause.” He also urged the United States to stop trading with the European ally. Trump further called for ending trade and visits involving Spain.
His comments followed NATO leaders’ approval of a new defense spending benchmark. The target encourages members to invest 5% of their gross domestic product in defense and related expenditures. Spain was the only alliance member to publicly reject the full commitment. Instead, it negotiated flexibility in meeting NATO’s capability goals.
Trump argued that Spain has benefited from the alliance. He said the country has not contributed what he considers a fair share of defense spending. He also stated that Spain does not participate at the expected level. Trump added that he no longer wanted the United States to conduct trade with Spain.
The president also predicted Spain would eventually seek to restore commercial ties with the United States. He said Spain earns substantial revenue through trade with the U.S. He added that reduced trade would likely prompt renewed discussions between the two countries.
The remarks reflected Trump’s longstanding criticism of NATO members with lower defense spending. Throughout both of his administrations, he argued that those countries place an unfair security burden on the United States.
Any attempt to significantly restrict trade with Spain could face legal and diplomatic challenges. Spain is a member of the European Union. The bloc negotiates trade agreements as a customs union rather than through separate bilateral deals with individual member states.
Administration officials did not immediately clarify whether Trump’s remarks represented a formal policy proposal. They also did not confirm whether the administration is considering trade restrictions targeting Spain.
The United States and Spain maintain a significant commercial relationship. In 2025, the two countries traded approximately $47 billion in goods. The United States exported about $26 billion in products to Spain. It also imported roughly $21 billion in Spanish goods.
Spain exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, food products, and vehicles to the United States. The United States exports energy products, machinery, aerospace equipment, and chemicals to Spain.
The Spain Trade Dispute also developed alongside broader disagreements between Washington and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Those differences involve national security and foreign policy. Earlier in 2026, Sánchez criticized the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. He described it as an extraordinary mistake and called for de-escalation.
During the same period, Spain declined to let the United States use the jointly operated Rota Naval Base and Morón Air Base. The request involved support for offensive operations against Iran under Operation Epic Fury. Spanish officials argued the strikes lacked international legal backing. They also said the bases could not support unilateral offensive military action.
The Spain Trade Dispute continues as defense spending, trade relations, and wider foreign policy differences remain unresolved between the two allies.
