In a new chapter of transatlantic tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has targeted Spain, threatening to double tariffs if Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government does not raise military spending to the 5% of GDP demanded by NATO.
During the recent summit in The Hague, Spain became the only country to openly reject this commitment, triggering Trump’s fury and concern among allies.
Sánchez, trapped in his progressive bubble, appears more interested in appeasing his leftist base than in ensuring Western security.
An article in El Mundo titled Trump Goes After Spain Again Over Sánchez’s NATO Stance: ‘He Tried Not to Comply, But He Will—Guaranteed’” outlines how Trump described Spain’s stance—clinging to 2.1% of GDP in military spending—as «terrible.»
“Spain is terrible. They want to stick with 2%. I think it’s terrible. And, as you know, they’re doing very well. The economy is doing very well. And that economy could completely collapse if something bad happens,” Trump stated, according to the newspaper.
The warning is clear: Spain could face a devastating trade war.
Sánchez, in a display of quixotic optimism, insists that “Spain is always the solution, never the problem.”
However, his rhetoric rings hollow against mounting NATO pressure. His refusal to increase the military budget reflects the demands of his progressive allies, such as Sumar, who see any defense spending as a betrayal of their ideals.
While Sánchez boasts of sovereignty, Spain finds itself isolated, projecting weakness at a critical moment for the Atlantic alliance.
The backlash on social media was swift. Fierce criticism abounds, with users accusing Sánchez of prioritizing ideological agendas over national security.
Some even suggest his decisions reflect submission to interests opposed to the West—though such claims lack concrete evidence. What is clear, however, is growing discontent among sectors that see Sánchez as more focused on progressive optics than international responsibility.
Trump’s threat is no bluff. Spain, with a €5.173 billion trade deficit with the U.S. in 2025, is vulnerable to sanctions.
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo acknowledged that the U.S. has the power to impose tariffs, though he is counting on EU support. Wishful thinking?
The automotive and agri-food sectors, already hit in the past, could bear the brunt of this rebellion.
Sánchez signed the NATO declaration, but his “no to 5%” has been labeled a Sanchista maneuver: commit publicly, back out privately.
Defense Minister Margarita Robles tried to defend Spain’s position by stating that “Spain takes no lessons from anyone,” but her words do little to mask the country’s isolation. While progressives celebrate their “independence,” Trump prepares the blow.
Can Sánchez maintain his defiance without sinking the economy? Time will tell if his progressive posturing is worth the price Trump promises to extract.
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