Trump Threatens $75 Billion Spain Trade, Revives Greenland Claim at NATO Summit
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 8
Trump Threatens $75 Billion Spain Trade, Revives Greenland Claim at NATO Summit
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 8
Summary
Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara to renew his threat to cut all trade with Spain and to press again for Greenland to belong to the United States.
Spain’s 2% defense spending in 2025, its refusal to back a 5% NATO target, and Madrid’s denial of U.S. base use for Iran-related missions have fueled Trump’s anger.
Pedro Sánchez said his exchange with Trump was friendly and insisted U.S.-Spain ties remain positive, while Madrid noted Washington ran a $3 billion trade surplus in their $75 billion 2025 relationship.
Denmark and Greenland again rejected Trump’s claim, and the EU backed both Spain and Danish sovereignty, saying trade and Greenland’s future are for Europeans and Greenlanders to decide.
All 32 NATO members still reaffirmed Article Five, and Secretary General Mark Rutte said the summit had been tremendously successful despite Trump’s attacks on allies.