Trump calls to stop trade with Spain, demands Greenland

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez refuses to raise his country’s defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, as agreed by the other 31 NATO members, and has sharply criticized Trump and the war in Iran in recent months.

“Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t take part, I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits,” Trump said in a press briefing before the discussions began, “We don’t want anything from them. Look how they will come running back to us, they will come back running.” Trump has also threatened in the past to sever ties with the Iberian country, which is led by a left-wing government. Due to the fact that trade is conducted under the umbrella of the European Union, in practice it will be difficult to carry out the step, experts estimated. Madrid was quick to respond to the words, saying that “good relations with the United States will be maintained in the future as well.”

The American president also repeated his demand to receive Greenland from Denmark, which is also a member of NATO. “The United States is very important to the United States, but not very important to Denmark,” he said. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who was also present at the briefing, told reporters that the United States and NATO countries agreed to increase the American presence on the Arctic island during last year’s Davos summit and that “it will be done step by step,” but Trump Made it clear that the crisis is not in the past. The Prime Minister of Denmark, Made Frederiksen, said in the last day that the country will not give up one centimeter of Danish land, and in the past received support for this from European countries.

Trump also harshly criticized the alliance itself, saying that the other NATO member states “didn’t treat us well.” He mentioned the cold shoulder the US received regarding the war in Iran, and particularly criticized Italy and Britain. On the other hand, he praised Turkey and said that it is “a more loyal ally than those who are considered as such.”

After his words to the media, Trump joined the reception for the leaders of the alliance, which was led by Turkish President Erdogan. In his words, the Turkish president praised Trump and his desire to “make peace” and end the conflict with Iran with an agreement. Erdogan used the opening remarks to support a peace process in the Middle East that would lead to a two-state solution, and said that the war in Gaza and Lebanon must be ended.