Why US's Trump Administration Wants to Remove Spain from NATO Membership
In a move that stirred diplomatic ripples across Europe, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Spain should be removed from NATO for failing to meet the alliance’s newly proposed defense spending target. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Trump openly questioned Spain’s commitment to collective defense, describing the country as a “laggard” in fulfilling its military obligations.
The controversy emerged after members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreed in June 2025 to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP, a sharp rise from the previous 2% guideline established years earlier. This new benchmark was a central demand of Trump, who has repeatedly argued that European nations rely too heavily on U.S. military protection while underfunding their own defense systems.
However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez immediately pushed back against the proposal, declaring that the 5% target was “incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision.” Sánchez defended Spain’s approach, emphasizing that the country balances its social welfare priorities with its security responsibilities, and that Madrid already contributes to NATO missions and meets capability goals under existing arrangements.
During his remarks, Trump pressed European leaders to hold Spain accountable, saying, “You people are gonna have to start speaking to Spain. You have to call them and find why are they a laggard.” He then escalated the rhetoric, adding, “Maybe you should throw ’em out of NATO, frankly.”
The remark, though offhand, carries serious implications. Expelling a member from NATO is an extraordinary measure with no precedent in the alliance’s 75-year history. It would require unanimous consent among member states — a highly unlikely scenario given the alliance’s focus on unity amid ongoing tensions with Russia following the Ukraine war.
In response, a Spanish government official reaffirmed Madrid’s position, stating that Spain remains a full member of NATO and continues to meet its agreed-upon capability targets “just as the United States does.” The official added that Spain’s commitment to collective defense “is unwavering and in line with the alliance’s core values.”
Spain, which joined NATO in 1982, has played an active role in various alliance operations, including missions in Afghanistan, the Baltics, and the Mediterranean. Despite this, its defense spending — currently hovering around 1.3% of GDP — remains below both the old 2% benchmark and the newly proposed 5%.
The 5% goal represents one of the most aggressive defense spending initiatives in NATO’s history. Trump has framed it as essential for ensuring that European nations take full responsibility for their defense and reduce dependency on U.S. military power. His administration argues that the rising costs of deterrence, especially against Russia and China, demand a “fair and proportionate contribution” from all members.
Critics, however, warn that Trump’s approach risks undermining alliance cohesion at a time when NATO’s unity is critical. The suggestion of removing Spain — a founding member of the European Union and a major contributor to NATO’s southern flank — could fracture transatlantic solidarity and embolden adversaries who seek to exploit divisions within the alliance.
European diplomats have so far sought to de-escalate the issue. Behind closed doors, some officials acknowledged that Spain’s economic structure and budget priorities make a 5% defense allocation unrealistic in the short term. Others noted that many NATO members are already struggling to reach the previous 2% target, making Trump’s demand politically and financially challenging.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s remarks reflect a consistent theme of his foreign policy: burden-sharing and accountability. He has long criticized NATO allies for “freeloading off U.S. defense guarantees” and warned that future American support could depend on whether allies “pay their fair share.”
As tensions simmer, NATO leaders are expected to revisit the spending debate in upcoming meetings. While Spain’s expulsion remains improbable, the confrontation has reignited questions about the alliance’s future direction and how far Trump’s administration is willing to go in reshaping transatlantic defense relationships.
For now, Madrid appears determined to project calm and continuity, maintaining that it remains a steadfast partner within NATO — even as Washington’s tone grows more confrontational.
✍️ This article is written by the team of The Defense News.