Spain seeks to defuse Trump threats to cut trade ties

President Donald Trump labels European ally ‘a wasted cause’ and ‘a terrible partner’ at alliance gathering in Turkey

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte prior to the defence alliance summit in Ankara, Trump slammed Spain as “a terrible partner in NATO.”

Speaking during the NATO summit, Trump repeatedly singled out Spain, calling the country a "wasted cause" and urging an end to trade with one of America's European allies.

Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with Spain, which has not agreed to ⁠Nato’s new defence spending target of 5 per cent of ‌GDP.