Ankara, Turkey. President Donald Trump disrupted a NATO leaders’ summit on Wednesday by demanding that the United States cut trade ties with Spain and by renewing claims on Greenland, drawing criticism from allies Spain and Denmark.
His remarks, which also included a declaration that the ceasefire with Iran was over, overshadowed a summit that European leaders had hoped would project unity, support for Ukraine, and ease tensions within the alliance.
Trump targets Spain at NATO summit
Speaking in Ankara alongside NATO Secretary Mark Rutte, Trump called Madrid a “terrible partner” in NATO and criticized allies for not supporting the war on Iran. He ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt all trade with Spain.
“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore,” Trump said. “By the way, I’d like to cut it off. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate, they don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits.”
Summit agenda overshadowed
Trump’s comments disrupted a summit at which European leaders had sought to highlight unity and support for Ukraine. They also undercut pre-summit messaging that European NATO countries had increased military spending, with at least $50 billion in defence initiatives unveiled on Tuesday.
Rutte has sought to address Trump’s concerns over defence spending, Iran and Greenland, while praising the president for raising those issues.
Dispute with Madrid
Washington and Madrid have been in conflict over Trump’s demands that European countries sharply increase military spending and pay for their own defence. Spain has explicitly rejected those demands.
Madrid’s Socialist government has also refused to allow the United States to use its airspace or military bases on Spanish territory for the Iran war.
Spanish response
The office of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said it was treating Trump’s statements as business as usual and added that bilateral relations benefited both countries.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia responded more directly.
“We are a sovereign, democratic country that defends multilateralism and peace,” she said on X. “What’s terrible is confusing diplomacy with bullying.”
