The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has once again pointed accusingly at the Spanish Government in an international forum for its resistance to accepting the agreed military spending increase figures in NATO. "Practically all NATO allies are increasing their defense spending to 5% of GDP. Everyone except Spain. I don't know what's going on with Spain. Why aren't they doing it?" he wondered during his speech in Davos when presenting the so-called Board for Peace, a controversial alternative project to the UN.
Trump immediately responded to why the Sánchez Government is acting this way. "I suppose they want to take advantage, right? All countries except Spain have increased to 5%. I don't know why we will have to talk to Spain," he added without giving further details.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, stated on CNBC also in Davos that Spain fulfills its commitments but maintains the government's disagreement on the figures. He argues that to respect the Alliance agreements, it is not necessary to raise spending to 5% of Gross Domestic Product.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, stated on Thursday that Spain maintains "a historic deployment" of troops to defend Eastern European countries with NATO, emphasizing that it can provide the necessary capabilities with an investment of 2.1% of GDP.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, responded to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, during his presence in Davos. Albares assured that Spain is a "completely reliable and solid ally in terms of our participation in European security and Euro-Atlantic security" within NATO.
The Minister recalled that, at present, Spain maintains "a historic deployment" of troops, with nearly 3,000 soldiers "ensuring the security of Eastern European countries" within NATO. Additionally, he emphasized, "our aircraft are participating in the Baltic Air Policing," and mentioned that Spanish Navy ships have been in the Black Sea "whenever necessary."
According to the Foreign Minister, Spain's commitment to "participate and provide the capabilities requested by the organization is beyond doubt," highlighting the particular role Spain plays in relation to the security of the Southern flank. Regarding spending, Trump's main complaint, he defended: "We consider that 2.1% is sufficient to make the capabilities requested by NATO available."