Overview

• ABC.es reports that Trump told Finland’s president at the White House that Spain "should be expelled" for refusing a 5% of GDP defense effort, citing attendees and offering no independent corroboration.
• Allies at the recent Hague summit agreed to raise ambition to 3.5% of GDP in direct military spending plus 1.5% for related capabilities, a total Washington has pressed as a 5% package.
• Spain publicly distanced itself from the original summit text and advanced a roadmap it says would meet capability needs at roughly 2.1% of GDP to avoid cutting social programs.
• NATO data show Spain spent about 1.24% of GDP on defense in 2024, and U.S. officials are skeptical that interoperability and new capabilities can be achieved without much higher outlays.
• The reported comment heightens pressure inside the alliance as members negotiate timelines, financing, and flexibility on how to reach agreed capability goals.