Madrid should spend extra on protection to fulfill its NATO obligations, United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advised his Spanish counterpart in pointed feedback Tuesday.
Bessent met with Spanish Economic system Minister Carlos Cuerpo in Washington and “highlighted the necessity for higher protection spending by Spain within the context of NATO,” in accordance with a Treasury Division assertion.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly hammered European capitals for underspending on protection and overreliance on the American navy for their very own safety. He has threatened to not come to laggards’ support if they’re attacked — except they step up their contributions.
Spain is likely one of the worst offenders within the transatlantic navy alliance, spending simply 1.32 % of its GDP on protection, nicely beneath NATO’s present goal of two %. Madrid plans to succeed in that objective earlier than 2029.
Bessent additionally hit out at Spain’s “digital providers tax,” which forces Large Tech corporations to pay extra taxes within the nation and is seen by the White Home as unfairly focusing on American tech giants, plus “different non-tariff obstacles” levied on the U.S.
Trump slapped a 20 % tariff on items from the European Union earlier this month, which he claimed was retaliation for the U.S. being handled unfairly on commerce, earlier than pausing that penalty for 90 days.
Cuerpo stated after the Bessent assembly that he was assured the U.S. is open to negotiating with the EU on commerce and tariffs, and desires to seal a deal earlier than Trump’s moratorium expires in July.
“Bessent has expressed his need to succeed in an settlement with main buying and selling companions, such because the European Union,” Cuerpo advised the Spanish press after the assembly. “We’re satisfied that [European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš] Šefčovič will be capable to attain a balanced, truthful, and mutually helpful settlement.”