WATCH Merz sides with Trump in clash with Spain over defense spending

The chancellor said all NATO members should devote 5% of their GDP to military affairs

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Spain for failing to meet the NATO target of spending 5% of GDP annually on defense.

Trump has threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow the US to use bases on Spanish soil to conduct strikes in Iran. The president described Spain as a “terrible” ally and also cited its unwillingness to increase defense spending.

“We are trying to convince Spain to catch up,” Merz said during a meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday.

“As the president said, it’s correct – Spain is the only one not willing to accept that. We are trying to convince them that this is part of our common security, that we all have to comply with these numbers. So Spain has to comply with that,” Merz said.

Last year, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected the 5% pledge as “unreasonable.”

The Spanish government said on Tuesday that it had “the necessary resources to contain the possible impact of the trade embargo” and urged the US to uphold its trade agreement with the EU. European Commission spokesman Olof Gill said the bloc would ensure that its interests are “fully protected.”

NOW - Germany's Merz supports U.S. embargoing Spain, claims it's to "convince" them to increase NATO spending. pic.twitter.com/YdVEi4ucsF

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