Trump Threatens Tariffs Against Spain Over NATO Defense Spending Shortfall

The U.S. president had suggested that Spain could be thrown out of NATO after opting out of the 5 percent gross domestic product defense spending target.

President Donald Trump speaks during the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in honor of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, in the Rose Garden at the White House on Oct. 14, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 14 threatened tariffs against Spain over Madrid’s refusal to boost defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), in line with other NATO allies.

“I’m very unhappy with Spain,” Trump told reporters during a bilateral meeting over lunch with Argentinian President Javier Milei. “They’re the only country that didn’t raise up their number to 5 percent. Every other country in NATO raised up to 5 percent.