President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened trade penalties, including tariffs, against Spain, saying he is unhappy with its refusal to raise defense spending to 5% and calling the move disrespectful to NATO.

“I’m very unhappy with Spain. They’re the only country that didn’t raise their number up to 5%… so I’m not happy with Spain,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“I was thinking of giving them trade punishment through tariffs because of what they did, and I think I may do that,” Trump added.

Trump has repeatedly pushed NATO members to spend more on their own defense and cast doubt on Washington’s willingness to come to the aid of members who do not spend enough. He said last week while meeting Finland’s president that NATO should consider throwing Spain out of the alliance ov

See Full Page