Spain is currently the last major NATO country not to publicly support US President Donald Trump’s demand that all NATO allies spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2032.
This was reported by the Financial Times, citing diplomatic sources.
Madrid is under serious pressure from its allies and Washington ahead of the NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 5 June. The US is keen to announce that all Allies have agreed to the increased spending target in order to strengthen unity ahead of the summit in The Hague on 24 June.
“Trump has made it clear: either 5% of GDP for defence or the loss of US military protection,” the FT notes.
Despite diplomatic pressure, the Spanish Socialist government is currently avoiding public comment. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, after meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said:
“I insisted that Spain has already taken significant steps to reach 2% of GDP, and now the main discussion should be about the real defence capabilities of countries, not just numbers.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that Spain would reach 2% this year and presented a €10bn defence investment package. However, Madrid is not yet ready to confirm the more ambitious target proposed by the White House.
European diplomats are trying to achieve unity among NATO countries, hoping that this will convince Trump to reaffirm American security guarantees for Europe.
