Spain is pushing back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand to boost defense spending to 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP).
NATO leaders will gather next week for their first summit since Trump’s return to the White House. The U.S. president is urging member states to spend 5% of GDP on defense — more than double the current 2% target, which Madrid will reach for the first time this year.
Spain currently spends 1.3% of GDP on defense, the lowest in NATO.
According to a letter obtained by POLITICO, the country is asking for flexibility in the final agreement. Sánchez requested that the new target be optional or that Spain receive an exemption.
“Spain will continue to fulfil its duty in the years and decades ahead and will continue to actively contribute to the European security architecture. However, Spain cannot commit to a specific spending target in terms of GDP at this summit,” Sánchez told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in a letter seen by POLITICO.
Sánchez said the target, planned for 2032, is “not only unreasonable but even counterproductive.” He argued it would hurt Spain’s welfare system, force tax increases, and disrupt green energy plans.
The push to raise defense spending is expected to be a central issue at the NATO summit on June 24–25. Last Friday, Sweden and the Netherlands joined Germany and Poland in backing the five percent target.
The proposed NATO guideline allocates 3.5% of GDP for troops and equipment and 1.5% for critical infrastructure like roads, ports, and cybersecurity.
