Trump takes tough action against Spain

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will stop all trade with Spain, calling it a 'very bad partner' in NATO. At the same time, he has called on other countries to take similar steps.

While talking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey's capital, on Wednesday (July 8), Trump said, 'We don't want to do any more trade with Spain. Spain is a very bad partner in NATO. They don't participate properly, they don't pay their dues. I don't want to have any more relations with Spain. Stop all trade with Spain.'

At that time, he ordered US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant to immediately stop trade with Spain. Trump said, 'Stop all trade with Spain, even travel. I don't want to do any more trade with them. Take action now.'

Trump also said that he is still unhappy with NATO allies for not receiving sufficient support during the war with Iran.

On the other hand, Spain has reiterated its opposition to a proposal to raise NATO member states' defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will reiterate the country's position at the NATO summit on Monday, government sources said.

Spain argues that raising defense spending to 5 percent of GDP would make it difficult to maintain the country's welfare state and sustainable public economy. Therefore, according to Madrid, it is necessary to balance the economic and social priorities of member states while strengthening NATO's security.