Trump proposes expelling Spain from NATO for failing to meet its obligations

US President Donald Trump has stated that NATO should consider excluding Spain from its ranks. According to Trump, the reason for this is Spain's stance on increasing defense spending. The country refuses to meet the new target of five percent of GDP by 2035.

The Spanish government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is calling for a more flexible approach or an exemption from this target and defends its current defense spending of around two percent of GDP as sufficient. Spain currently has the lowest defense spending among NATO members.

Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with Spain's stance and announced that trade negotiations with Spain could become more complicated.

Spain, on the other hand, emphasizes that its military spending is realistic given the economic situation and defends its sovereignty in decisions on defense spending.

(reuters, sie)