Tensions are mounting among NATO allies ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit, with sharp disagreements emerging over defense spending commitments. U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Spain’s government, criticizing Madrid’s failure to meet the proposed military investment benchmarks.
Trump’s comments add fuel to an already controversial debate, as alliance members prepare to negotiate a new collective pledge for defense investment—a move that could either unite the 32-member alliance or deepen internal rifts.
NATO Pushes for 5% Defense Spending Amid Opposition
Leaders within NATO are expected to discuss a new proposal urging each member state to allocate 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense spending. While the proposal is aimed at boosting the bloc’s military preparedness, several countries—including Spain—are reportedly pushing back.
Spain has already secured a special arrangement to exempt itself from the full 5% target. This deviation drew sharp criticism from Trump, who insisted that the burden of defense funding should be borne primarily by U.S. allies, not the United States.
“NATO will have to deal with Spain,” Trump declared. “They have always underpaid.”
Trump Singles Out Spain and Canada for Low Contributions
Trump’s latest remarks echo his previous rhetoric criticizing NATO countries for failing to pull their financial weight. He singled out Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration, accusing it of underfunding defense and relying too heavily on American military support.
Trump also targeted Canada, another NATO member that has not yet met its expected defense spending commitments.
According to official NATO data, Spain spent the least on defense among all NATO nations last year, further reinforcing Trump’s claim that certain members are free-riding on U.S. military power.
Internal Fractures Threaten NATO Unity Before the Summit
Scheduled for Tuesday, the NATO Summit will bring together the heads of state from across the alliance. But the backdrop is far from unified. Trump’s repeated challenges to the bloc’s cost-sharing structure threaten to overshadow strategic cooperation efforts, especially amid growing tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Observers say the summit could either result in a historic defense funding accord or expose deep ideological and fiscal fractures among members.
Anti-NATO Protests Erupt in Europe
Just ahead of the high-stakes meeting, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in The Hague, voicing opposition to increased military spending and NATO’s involvement in potential conflicts, particularly with Iran and in Gaza.
Belgian politician José Dehesse addressed protesters near the summit venue, urging governments to “invest in peace and sustainable energy instead of war.”
The protests highlight growing public skepticism about NATO’s role and military priorities, especially in post-pandemic economies that are grappling with inflation and rising social needs.
Strategic Future of NATO Hangs in Balance
As the world’s largest security alliance prepares for its most pivotal summit in years, Trump’s bold statements and member state disagreements are setting the stage for either a revitalized military pact or an era of increasing discord.
Whether the alliance can find common ground on defense spending without alienating key members like Spain and Canada will be the central test of this summit’s success.
