Spain has reached a deal with NATO to opt-out of the new mandatory defense spending levels, sparking discussions among allies.
Spain Rejects Increased Defense Spending
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that Spain will not comply with NATO's new commitment to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. He stated that this spending level is 'unnecessary and disproportionate.' Sanchez noted that Spain can meet all NATO commitments with a defense budget of 2.1% of its GDP.
Reactions to Trump's Statements
Spain's decision to not follow the new spending target protects it from potential backlash from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously emphasized that European nations are falling short of their defense budgets. Trump warned that he would not defend countries that do not meet their targets.
NATO's Position and Future Discussions
NATO announced that its 32 member states aim to achieve a 5% GDP target by 2035. However, Sanchez indicated that wording changes made to achieve consensus allow Spain to argue that this commitment does not apply to all members.
Thus, Spain continues to stand firm on its level of defense spending, raising questions about NATO's unity on security matters. Discussions on this topic are expected to resume at the upcoming summit.
