Spain Defends NATO Defense Spending Stance Amid US Tariff Threats and EU Support
Spain maintains its current NATO defense spending of 2.1% GDP amid US tariff threats, supported by the EU's commitment to respond appropriately against such measures.
- • US threatens tariffs on Spain over low NATO defense spending.
- • Spain commits to 2.1% GDP defense spending, rejecting the 5% target.
- • NATO acknowledges Spain’s position but encourages higher spending.
- • European Commission supports Spain, emphasizing trade jurisdiction and bilateral US-EU agreements.
Key details
Spain is facing pressure from the United States, particularly from former President Donald Trump, to increase its defense spending to meet NATO's ambitious target of 5% of GDP by 2035. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Spain due to what he considers insufficient military spending, accusing Spain of being a "very bad" alliance partner and disrespecting NATO for failing to contribute enough. Despite these threats, Spain's government maintains that its current military expenditure, set at 2.1% of GDP, is enough to meet NATO’s commitments, especially in light of security challenges like the war in Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has acknowledged Spain's agreement with the overarching defense goals set at the NATO summit in The Hague last June, which aim to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, including 3.5% in qualified military expenses. While stressing the importance of unanimity within the alliance, Rutte highlighted that Spain currently falls short of the 3.5% defense target, though it has recently reached the 2% threshold for military spending for the first time since 2014. He praised Trump's role in pushing NATO members towards higher spending, even as NATO has chosen not to openly criticize Trump's tariff threats against Spain.
The European Commission has firmly backed Spain in this dispute, emphasizing that trade policy is its exclusive competence and pledging to respond appropriately to any tariff measures imposed on any EU member state. It also noted the existence of a bilateral trade agreement with the US that is intended to prevent an escalation of tariffs. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated that Spain will not reach the 5% spending target but confirmed the 2.1% GDP defense spending is sufficient for current needs, with Defense Minister Margarita Robles indicating that future spending levels might be reconsidered by 2029.
This situation highlights the tension between the US push for increased defense spending within NATO and Spain’s domestic political and economic position, supported by the EU’s firm stance against unilateral trade penalties within its member states. As of now, no tariff measures have been enacted, and the dispute remains a political and diplomatic standoff.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.