Overview

• President Donald Trump said Spain automatically receives NATO protection but is treating the alliance unfairly and will be punished.
• He asserted that Spain is the only NATO member unwilling to raise defense spending, citing a 5% of GDP benchmark he wants met.
• Trump said he is considering trade tariffs as a form of "trade punishment" in response to Spain’s stance on military outlays.
• The comments were delivered at the White House during remarks to reporters, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei present.
• RIA Novosti published the statements on October 14, and no formal punitive measures or policy changes were announced.