Washington, D.C. – During a White House meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on October 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump voiced concerns about Spain’s failure to meet his proposed 5% GDP defense spending target for NATO members. In a video capturing the exchange, Trump stated, “We need to check why Spain is lagging behind in NATO funding (not paying 5% of GDP like other NATO countries).” The discussion, part of broader talks on Arctic defense cooperation, highlighted Trump’s frustration with Spain’s resistance to increased military contributions.

Spain, under its left-wing government, has struggled to reach even the 2% GDP benchmark, committing only 1.3% in 2024. This has drawn criticism from Trump, who has pushed for a 5% target since his return to office. Finnish President Stubb, whose country recently joined NATO, agreed to provide four icebreakers to the U.S. under a $6.1 billion deal, contrasting with Spain’s stance. The meeting also covered U.S.-Finland relations, but Trump’s focus on Spain underscored ongoing tensions within the alliance.