Cordiality and laughter amidst the chill and clash over discrepancies on defense spending increase. Pedro Sánchez and Donald Trump shook hands and shared a joke during their greeting at the ceremony for the signing of the peace plan for Gaza.
Later, during his speech at the event, the US president publicly addressed him: "Where is Spain? Are you trying to convince him [Sánchez] about the GDP issue? We will get closer, we will get closer. You are doing a fantastic job"
Before delivering this message, Trump waited on the red platform for all the leaders, who entered from his left side. Sánchez approaches, they shake hands. Some distance between them. They chat. The American president pulls the Spanish leader's arm, and they both laugh. A dynamic that Trump has repeated with other leaders, but with Sánchez, there is a clash due to Spain's refusal to invest 5% of GDP in Defense.
This disagreement has even led the US leader to suggest the possibility of Spain leaving NATO if it does not comply with the rest of the partners in defense investment.
"For our partnership to endure and face future challenges, Spain, like all NATO Allies, must meet our collective defense spending commitment of five percent of GDP," read the statement issued by the US State Department on Spain's National Day, also expressing "congratulations to the Spanish people on this important national celebration."
Last Thursday, Trump suggested studying the expulsion of Spain from NATO due to its refusal to accelerate and increase defense investment. A clash and anger in the White House that date back months and to the last NATO summit when Sánchez obtained a letter from the Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, to not commit to reaching the 5% threshold as the US was pressuring. Back in the summer, Trump threatened to derail the Spanish economy. There, in The Hague, there wasn't even a greeting between them.
In Sharm el-Sheikh, the city hosting the peace plan signing for Gaza, yes, because the 35 attending leaders greeted Trump one by one, who arrived three hours late to the meeting after previously visiting Israel. The US president welcomed Sánchez's approach with a smile, and they exchanged a few words. Both were smiling.
While there were thumbs up with other leaders, there wasn't one with the Spanish Prime Minister. Instead, there was a handshake pulling Sánchez towards him, interpreted as a joke. To say goodbye, they high-fived.
There was anticipation for Trump's words calling for Spain's expulsion, and in La Moncloa, they believe that playing the role of the US's antagonistic leader benefits them. Although publicly the order and strategy are "not to take the bait" and not to confront the Trump Administration, the discomfort and clash with the Americans are evident.
"We made a political decision. We do not tolerate being told from outside that we have to spend a certain amount. We agree on the important part: increasing NATO's capabilities. The 5% does not have a report justifying the amount. Why not 7%, 9%," government members point out.
Government sources explain that there has been "no impact" following Trump's challenges. "There has been no impact." They also note interest in investing in Spain, including from American companies and funds. At the end of September, Sánchez met with US financial firms with significant interests and presence in Spain, including Goldman Sachs, Invesco, Brookfield, CITI, and Soros Fund Management.