Olivier Matthys / EPA
Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain
Donald Trump said that, within NATO, there is just no good relationship with Spain. Pedro Sánchez remembers that Spain is compliant.
Donald Trump attacked again Spain. Speaking in the Oval Office of the White House alongside the NATO leader, Trump said that Mark Rutte “will have to talk to Spain”, expressing confidence that he “can easily resolve” the issue of Spain’s commitment to the Alliance.
This Wednesday, Trump urged the secretary general of NATO to approach Spain, which it accused of not being a “team player” in the Atlantic Alliance, to ensure that it accompanies the other allies in investing in Defense.
The US president (who has already suggested the expulsion of Spain from NATO) recalled that all NATO countries have committed to reaching 5% of GDP in investment in Defense – less Spain, that was left behind 2%.
Donald Trump assured that he has a “great relationship with all NATO countries” – all except Spain.
Pedro Sanchez already reacted: “We are a country reliable, we are a country that fulfills with its commitments”, said the Prime Minister and Spain, in Brussels, in response to questions from journalists when he arrived at the European Council meeting.
Sánchez added that “President Trump knows” that Spain is respecting “current obligations and capabilities” towards NATO.
The Prime Minister also recalled — and stressed that Trump also knows this — that when he took over as head of the Government of Spain, in 2018, the country only dedicated 0,9% from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense, despite having assumed in 2014, before the Atlantic Alliance, that it would spend 2%, at a time when the PP headed the executive.
“President Trump knows that, since I have been President of the Government of Spain, not only are we fulfilling our obligations and our capabilities today, but We also cover non-compliances by other Governments” – in a reference to Mariano Rajoy, his predecessor as prime minister.
