Spanish Prime Minister Defends Decision Not to Meet NATO 5 Percent Target

Trump said earlier this week that Spain is ’the only country that won’t pay the full amount.’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. Markus Schreiber/AP

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about his country not meeting the target set on Wednesday for NATO members to spend 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.

On Wednesday, Trump said Spain appeared to want a “free ride” from NATO after Madrid said it would only spend 2.1 percent of its GDP.