Spain to Counter Trump's NATO Spending Claims with Data at Ankara Summit

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to attend the NATO summit in Ankara armed with data that the government believes demonstrates Spain's full commitment to the alliance. This information aims to counter accusations from US President Donald Trump regarding Spain's perceived insufficient defense expenditure.

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Spain was the only country that did not support the defense spending of up to 5% of its GDP for 2035.

Since the previous summit, where Spain was the sole nation not to endorse the goal of reaching 5% of GDP for defense spending by 2035, Trump's criticism has intensified. These critiques were further amplified after the Spanish government deemed the war against Iran to be outside international law and prohibited the use of military bases in Morón and Rota for the conflict.

While Madrid hopes the Ankara summit will not solely focus on Trump's reproaches towards Spain and other European countries, Spanish government sources express confidence. They assert that Sánchez is attending "very calm and with his homework done," citing NATO's own assessments. These sources highlight that the Alliance's Defence Policy and Plans Committee concluded Spain met its capability objectives for 2025, exceeding the European average and other nations like Canada.

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Spain had achieved its capability objectives set for 2025 and had done so with a compliance rate higher than the European average and other countries like Canada.

Furthermore, Spain is noted as the seventh-highest contributor among NATO's 32 members in fulfilling objectives, third in deploying personnel to peacekeeping missions, and first in troop contributions to the eastern flank. The country is also the second-largest contributor of naval capabilities and fourth in air capabilities, while playing a significant role in Ukraine's defense. The government emphasizes that these achievements were made possible by consolidating defense spending at 2% of GDP, a level considered compatible with the welfare state, unlike the proposed 5% target.

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it is the seventh country that has complied the most of the 32 NATO members, the third with the most personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions, and the first in troop contribution on the eastern flank.

Spain believes many countries committed to the 5% target will not achieve it, pointing to potential tax hikes, increased debt, and social spending cuts as consequences. Consequently, Sánchez approaches the summit with confidence, given Trump's unpredictability. The government also addressed doubts raised by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte about Spain's ability to meet spending targets, calling such speculation unserious. Spain maintains its stance, refusing to commit to spending 5% of its GDP on defense.

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it is the second largest contributor of naval capabilities and the fourth in air capabilities, while playing an important role in the defense of Ukraine.