DAVOS, Switzerland, January 26, 2024 – Former president Donald Trump is demanding that Spain significantly increase its defense spending, threatening to initiate talks with the Sánchez administration to compel them to raise it to 5% of their GDP. This demand, made during his appearance at the World Economic forum in Davos following the signing of the founding document for his “Council for Peace in Gaza,” has reignited tensions between the U.S. and a key European ally.
Trump Accuses Spain of Free-Riding on Defense
The former president claims Spain is the only NATO ally not to meet commitments made at the alliance’s October summit in The Hague.
- Trump alleges Spain is attempting to benefit from the defense spending of other NATO members.
- The 5% GDP target for defense spending was initially agreed upon by most NATO allies, according to Trump.
Though,the reality of Spain’s defense spending is more nuanced.While the Spanish government has made efforts to meet its commitment to reach 2% of GDP, a goal initially set in 2014 with a 2024 deadline. According to recent NATO data, Spain reportedly achieved this 2% target last year.
The current geopolitical climate prompted the Spanish government to substantially increase its defense budget, beginning with a 26% increase in the 2023 general State Budget-which remains in effect due to a budget extension-bringing spending to €12.317 billion. this represents the largest increase in military spending in a decade.
The government has also utilized extraordinary credits, multi-year adjustments, and integrated allocations, including special arms programs linked to international missions, to bolster defense funding. Officials have stated that this funding model is intended to avoid cuts to social spending, maintaining public investment in social programs alongside economic growth and increased state revenue.
Is 5% Realistic? Experts Weigh In
The spanish government has communicated to NATO that committing to 5% of GDP for defense would more than double current expenditure, perhaps leading to significant cuts in other public spending areas and increased national debt.
Many experts agree that reaching the 5% target is unrealistic. José Juan Ruiz, president of the real Instituto Elcano, stated at the VII Defense Forum that “no one is going to reach 5% of GDP in defense spending.” He emphasized that even if Europe isn’t investing that amount,it is still committed to its defense.
Ruiz argued that increasing spending to 5% “doesn’t necessarily mean investing better.” He pointed out that Europe has invested $9 trillion since 1991, including $3 trillion in the last decade, while maintaining a military force of 1.4 million soldiers. “Europe spends, and 5% is a symbolic figure that has no rationality,” he asserted.
Eduardo Serra, president of the Fundación Transforma España and former Minister of Defense, echoed this sentiment, stating bluntly, “What is being done now is a sham and no one will comply. Whether it’s 5% or 4%, why not 3% or 7%? You have to spend on defense what you need to defend yourself.” Serra emphasized the importance of evaluating threats and capabilities when determining a defense budget, rather than focusing on arbitrary percentages.
Spain consistently advocates this position within NATO, arguing that commitment to the alliance should be measured by actions-participation in international missions, strategic capabilities, defense of the southern area of the alliance, and cooperation in industry and technology-rather than solely by financial contributions. This contrasts with Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is bearing the brunt of europe’s security costs.
