Fact Check: "Trump criticized Spain as a 'very low payer' in NATO."
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, President Donald Trump made remarks about Spain's financial contributions to NATO, stating that the country has "always paid very little" and should "pay the same as everyone else" (EFE). He specifically referred to Spain as a "very low payer" in the context of NATO's defense spending requirements, which he proposed should be set at 5% of GDP for member countries, excluding the United States (AP News). This criticism came just days before a NATO summit in The Hague, where defense spending was a key agenda item (EFE).
Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, had previously announced that Spain would not be able to meet the proposed 5% spending target, arguing that it was "incompatible with our welfare system and our vision of the world" (EFE). In 2024, Spain's defense spending was estimated at only 1.28% of its GDP, making it the lowest among NATO allies (AP News).
Analysis
Trump's statement about Spain being a "very low payer" is supported by the context of ongoing discussions about NATO defense spending. His comments reflect a broader criticism of several NATO allies who, in his view, do not contribute their fair share to the alliance. This perspective aligns with Trump's long-standing position on NATO funding, where he has consistently urged member nations to increase their military expenditures (EFE, Bloomberg).
The reliability of the sources reporting on Trump's comments is generally high. The Associated Press and EFE are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. Both sources provide direct quotes from Trump, which adds credibility to the claim that he criticized Spain's NATO contributions. Furthermore, the context of the NATO summit and Spain's defense spending history supports the assertion that Trump labeled Spain as a low contributor.
However, it is important to note that Trump's comments were made in a politically charged environment, where he was advocating for increased defense spending across NATO. This context could introduce a degree of bias in his statements, as they serve his agenda of pushing for higher military expenditures from allies (EFE, Bloomberg).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump criticized Spain as a 'very low payer' in NATO" is True. Trump did indeed make this statement, highlighting Spain's lower-than-average defense spending compared to NATO requirements. The evidence from reliable news sources confirms that his remarks were made in the context of urging NATO allies to increase their contributions, particularly ahead of a significant summit.
