There is controversy in the NATO: in a summit that was supposed to be of unity, it was the almost marginalization of Spain that took over the agenda. Such that in European countries it is already enjoyed with Spain
It is unknown what happened inside, but there is easier to explain: there is a brave stir between Donald Trump and Spain, the least investing country that has in defense and has achieved a bilateral deal so as not to have to meet the 5% that the Atlantic alliance wants to impose on all members, in an almost order from the White House.
After stating that Spain was a “problem” within the organization, Donald Trump was this Wednesday further: “Spain is terrible. He wants to be 2%. I think it’s terrible. And, as you know, it’s going very well. The economy is fine.”
This to launch a tariff threat: “This economy may be completely sink if something wrong happens. We are negotiating a trade agreement with Spain and I will make them pay twice as much,” the US president reiterated, after asked about Pedro Sánchez’s position, who has already made it clear that Spain will not exceed 2.1%-a “sufficient, realistic and compatible value”, according to the first minister.
“I say it seriously. I like Spain. I know a lot of people in Spain. It’s a great place and they are great people. But Spain is the only country who refuses to pay,” he concluded, seeing an “injustice” to the other Member States who have committed to make the effort.
And if there was doubts about whether what many are already calling “annoying” in a summit that was supposed to be unity, the US Secretary of State has clarified that the United States as a whole to see this “problem.”
“It’s a big problem. They claim they can do it less, but Spain faces deep internal political challenges,” Marco Rubio told Pedro Sánchez’s eternal instability, who, instead, has to make a parliamentary pin to stay alive.
“They have a center-left government that basically wants to spend very little or nothing in defense,” added the leader of US diplomacy, leaving an ideological critique of the leadership of the Moncloa Palace in the air.
But don’t think it’s just there that the criticism comes. Here, Luís Montenegro has not been very pressured on the subject of numbers Hermanos, but there are those who in Europe worry and even mock the Spanish position.
After being able to approve a military budget perspective that places Belgium in the same path as Portugal -reaching 3.5% in 10 years -Belgian Prime Minister has been publicly triggered against Spain.
Bart de Wever wants to ensure that “there is no special treatment” in the NATO, so everyone, but even everyone, should go on their way to 5%, as the 2.1% pointed out by Pedro Sánchez do not arrive.
“NATO strategies have calculated spending and consider that, with current prices, we need 3.5% to get [o objetivo]. I suppose these people are not dizzy, they know what it costs and consider that it takes 3.5%. It would be great to do so with 2.1%, if Pedro Sánchez could do so, it would be a genius and genius inspires us, ”said Belgian Prime Minister.
Without using so much irony, the vice president of the government of Italy wanted to make it clear that “Spain has to respect the rules” that will leave Hague. And that means reaching 5% approved in the summit. “Everyone must respect the standards, but reasonable flexibility criteria have been presented,” said Antonio Tajani, opening the door a little to Spanish reason.
In the midst of the hurricane is, to do balance, Nato’s secretary general, who was even nicknamed Donald Trump’s “vassal” by a Spanish journalist during this same summit.
Always trying to please the United States, Mark Rutte has assured that there is a concrete plan leaving Hague so that the allies commit to what was agreed.
“We can agree to disagree that they believe they can reach the goals with 2.1% of the expense. NATO said it has to be 3.5% for all allies,” he said at his final press conference.
The internal war follows within moments.
