US President Donald Trump publicly criticised Spain and the United Kingdom during a White House appearance alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Trump’s remarks focused on disagreements within the NATO over defence spending targets and military cooperation linked to the ongoing US–Israel military action against Iran.
NATO allies agreed last year to aim for a new defence spending benchmark of 5 % of GDP by 2035 to bolster collective deterrence and defence. Spain, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has resisted the higher target and rejected allowing US strikes on Iran from its bases, prompting sharp rebukes from Washington.
“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” He said.
Trump also called out the UK, criticising its handling of Diego Garcia – a strategic British Indian Ocean Territory base used by US and UK forces – and broader policy decisions. “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” he said, describing the UK as “very uncooperative.”
He referenced Diego Garcia as an example of bureaucratic confusion and inefficiency, adding that the arrangement forced the US to adjust its military operations, causing “many extra hours” of travel.
Trump further criticised UK energy and immigration policies, highlighting the North Sea as a source of untapped energy. On immigration, Trump called for stronger measures to control illegal entries, framing it as a key challenge for the government.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasised that the UK declined to join initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran, focusing instead on defensive use particular of bases and pursuing a negotiated resolution.
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