Trump promises to force Spain to pay for the avoidance of the new NATO costs

US president Donald Trump Wednesday stated that Spain’s refusal to meet with The purpose of the NATO protection costs With 5% of the gross domestic product will mean a tougher trading business for the South European country.

Speaking at a press conference at the NATO annual summit in the Netherlands, Trump said that by 2035, Spain did not committed to meet with the purpose.

“You know that they are all good. The economy is very good. And this economy can break out of the water with something bad,” Trump said.

“Do you know what we will do? We are negotiating with Spain on a trade transaction, and we’re going to make them pay twice as much – and I am really serious about it. I like Spain … This is a wonderful place and they are great people, but Spain is the only country from all countries that refuse to pay.”

“So they want a little free ride, but they will have to return it to trade because I’m not going to let it. It’s unfair,” Trump said.

His comments come shortly after NATO allies agreed More than double the target protection costs with 2% GDP to 5% to 2035.

In a joint declaration, the Western military bloc said that “united in front of deep threats and security problems”, in particular, a long-term threat that Russia was piggy to Euro-Atlantic security and a “sustainable threat” of terrorism.

Earlier on this day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the country would meet the new NATO target capabilities, which refer to the measures that should take to defend themselves and a wider military union.

However, Sanchez said Madrid is considering the current 2% GDP protection costs as “sufficient, realistic and compatible with the state of well -being,” Reuters reports. Sanchez reportedly thanked NATO allies for “respect for Spain’s sovereignty”.

The Spanish Government press was not immediately available when CNBC appealed.

– Holly Elite CNBC contributed to this report.