US President Trump Issues Warning to Spain Over Defense Spending
Following the NATO summit in The Hague, where all member states except Spain agreed to a new five-percent defense spending goal, US President Donald Trump issued a threat against the Spanish government. At the summit’s conclusion on Wednesday, Trump expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s terrible what Spain has done. They’re the only country that doesn’t want to pay the full amount. They want to stay at two percent.”
Trump emphasized that Spain’s economy is doing well, with its economy running exceptionally well. “And this economy could completely collapse if something bad happens” he warned. “I think it’s a shame, so we’re going to make up for it.”
Negotiations are underway with Spain over a trade agreement. “We will make them pay double and I mean it seriously. We will make Spain pay” the US President said. Spain, he added, wants “to live a little on the cost of others, but they will have to pay us back in trade, because I won’t allow it.”
The plan for implementing Trump’s threats remains unclear, as trade negotiations are handled through Brussels as part of the EU.