US President Donald Trump has threatened to end all trade with Spain after the country declined to commit fully to NATO's new defence spending target, branding the ally a "wasted cause". Speaking at the NATO summit, he singled Spain out repeatedly, urging that trade — and even visits — be cut off, marking a sharp escalation of his long-running complaints that some alliance members do not pay their fair share.

The remarks followed NATO leaders' endorsement of a new benchmark calling on members to invest 5% of gross domestic product in defence and defence-related expenditure. Spain was the only member to publicly reject the full target, instead negotiating flexibility in how it meets NATO capability goals. Trump argued that Spain benefits from the alliance without contributing adequately, saying "they don't participate, they don't pay", and predicted the country would eventually seek to restore trade ties. The summit, attended by figures including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, took place in Turkey.