EU tells Spain to raise defense spending to 3% as Trump pressures NATO

The European Union is complying with President Donald Trump’s demands and has started to push some member states to increase their defense budgets.

On Saturday, the European defense commissioner called on Spain to raise its defense spending to 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Per Trump’s wishes, NATO members, including the entire European Union, should raise their defense spending target above 2% of national output. He even appealed to NATO members to raise their defense spending to as high as 5% of their GDP.

Spain spent only 1.3% of their GDP on defense in 2024

The European defense commissioner Andrius Kubilius told the El Pais newspaper that Spain would have to spend at least 3% of its GDP on defense to avert the Russian threat to Europe. 

He claimed Spain’s government would have to “find a way to increase defense spending in the near future.”

Spain’s defense expenditure in 2024 accounted for 1.3% of its GDP, the lowest any NATO member spent that year. Spain, however, did promise that it would meet NATO’s defense target expenditure of 2% of GDP this year, a goal it had originally set for 2029. The target change, however, did raise alarm, especially for the far-left Sumar party, the junior partner with the Socialists in Spain’s coalition government who disagree with the idea.

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a €10.5 billion investment plan last month to ensure the country fulfills its spending obligations. He stated that the plan would focus on telecommunications, cybersecurity, and acquiring military equipment . He explained that he saw the need for Spain to raise its defense budget, especially since Europe’s adversaries are expanding their arsenal to more than just missiles.

Drawing from the Ukraine war, he pointed out that their “enemies” were using unmanned drones and paramilitary groups to disrupt supply chains, sever gas pipelines, and damage undersea cables. They also allegedly weaponized social media platforms to spread propaganda and disinformation and launched AI-driven cyberattacks on Ukraine.

He added, “In a world that’s dominated by uncertainty, Europe is hope, and it is certainty – and that certainty must be protected by strengthening our security and defense systems because, given what’s going on, it’s obvious that only Europe will know how to protect Europe. And Spain will contribute to protecting Europe.”

Moreover, he also argued that they would stand with Ukraine and that his country would fulfill its obligations to ensure the safety and security of Europe. He even asserted that his investment plan and increased defense spending would not burden nationals; there would be no tax rise or deficit increases due to it.

The Sumar party, however, is still opposed to the plan, calling it “incoherent” and “absolutely exorbitant.” 

Donald Trump asked NATO allies to raise their defense budgets

Barely a month after Trump assumed office, he began pressuring his NATO allies to raise their defense budgets, claiming the US had been left to foot most of the defense burden for far too long. He urged NATO members to raise their defense spending to 5% of their GDP.

Responding to Trump’s request, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte encouraged other member states to increase their defense spending. He called for them to meet the 2% target by the summer before they can take on a higher target since they have to spend above 2% of their output.

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