Trump Threatens Spain Over NATO Defense Spending

Donald Trump, speaking from The Hague, made a bold statement regarding Spain's refusal to meet a new NATO defense spending target of 5% of GDP. He threatened that the United States would make Spain pay double in ongoing trade talks, a move that raised eyebrows given that trade negotiations between the U.S. and EU member states are handled by the European Commission, not individually with Spain. This threat came just hours after NATO leaders agreed to significant defense spending increases, a key goal that Trump had been pushing for.

Trump's remarks at the summit were not solely focused on Spain's refusal. He spent a considerable amount of time praising his own impact on the alliance, stating that other leaders had acknowledged his contributions. When asked about NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calling him “daddy,” Trump responded that it was said “very affectionately.” This light-hearted moment was in stark contrast to the tense meetings Trump had during his first term, where European leaders were uncertain about his loyalty to NATO’s collective defense clause. This time, Trump expressed a change in his perspective, stating that he no longer believed the alliance was a scam and that he was there to help protect the countries involved.

However, not all leaders were satisfied with the summit's outcomes. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Trump’s trade threats, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trade peace among allies. Macron was the only leader to criticize Trump over his decision to hit Iran last week, highlighting the differing views within the alliance.

During the press conference, Trump also discussed the U.S. military strikes on Iran, describing them as “very, very successful—total obliteration.” He criticized media outlets for their coverage of the strikes, claiming that intelligence reports supported the attack’s effectiveness. Trump even compared the strikes to the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, stating that they ended the war in a different way but were equally devastating. He claimed that bunker-buster bombs were used, clearing a path to peace in the Middle East.

Before the press conference, Trump held a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which lasted nearly an hour. He described Zelenskyy as “very nice” and commended Ukraine’s fight. When asked if he’d approve more defense aid, Trump replied, “We’ll see what happens.” A Ukrainian journalist told him her husband was in the military. Trump responded directly, saying, “Vladimir Putin really has to end that war.”

At the end of the summit, Trump was asked why he believed the latest ceasefire between Iran and Israel would hold. He responded, “They’re both tired, exhausted. They were both satisfied to go home and get out.” This statement reflected his optimistic view on the potential for peace in the region, despite the ongoing tensions.