'Spain was very generous today': Trump softens rhetoric after Madrid highlights Nato spending

U.S. President Donald Trump has softened his public stance on Spain, hours after threatening trade sanctions, following assurances regarding Madrid's increased contributions to NATO. Trump described Spain as "very generous today" after a NATO summit, stating they had "honored a request for lots of payments."

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I did have issues, and I still do. But Spain, they came back all the way today. Spain was very generous today.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's spokesperson indicated that Trump's comments referred to Spain's commitment to meeting NATO's former defense spending target of 2% of GDP. During the summit, Sanchez highlighted that Spain would achieve this goal this year. This marks a significant increase from 0.98% of GDP in 2017, with nominal defense spending rising to nearly €33 billion.

Earlier, Trump had labeled Spain a "terrible partner" and threatened to halt all trade over disputes concerning defense spending and the Iran war. However, he has consistently criticized Spain for not agreeing to a proposed 5% of GDP defense target by 2035, a goal Madrid argues would necessitate cuts to social benefits.

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They honoured a request for lots of payments.

The implications of Trump's softened rhetoric for his trade threat remain unclear. A U.S. official told Reuters that federal agencies would present Trump with a "menu" of Spanish products potentially subject to embargo. Trade lawyers noted that Trump could invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose a full or partial embargo on Spanish imports, recalling his administration's imposition of a 30% tariff on Spanish black olives in 2018.

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economic reality takes precedence over grandiloquent statements.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Margarita Robles was scheduled to meet with U.S. Ambassador Benjamin Leon for a working meeting. Opposition figures criticized Sanchez for the initial spat but affirmed their support for the country. A senior official from the People's Party emphasized the interdependence of Spanish and U.S. firms, stating that "economic reality takes precedence over grandiloquent statements." Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party and an ally of Trump, called the tensions "absolutely dramatic" and accused Sanchez of "destroying Spain's credibility on the world stage."

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the tensions were 'absolutely dramatic' and accused Sanchez of 'destroying Spain's credibility on the world stage.'