The German Chancellor spoke alongside President Donald Trump about the need for Spain to fulfill its obligations within NATO, emphasizing that the situation is clear and requires immediate action. The goal is to convince Spain to increase its contribution to 3 % or 3.5 % of GDP, as agreed within the military alliance.
He stressed that, as Trump pointed out, Spain is currently the only member country not meeting this commitment, and highlighted that the contribution is not optional but part of the common security of all allies. “We are trying to convince them that this is part of our common security and that we all must meet these percentages, with 3.5 % for the military and another 1.5 % for our military infrastructure. So Spain has to comply with that,” he stated.
He also emphasized the importance of all NATO members maintaining an adequate level of spending, not only for financial reasons but strategically, to ensure joint operations are effective and that no ally disproportionately depends on the strength and resources of others. Spain’s failure to comply not only weakens the credibility of the alliance but could also affect the ability to respond quickly to global threats, putting collective security at risk.
Additionally, he noted that economic contributions are directly linked to strengthening military infrastructure, modernizing bases, and ensuring interoperability among forces, which allows NATO to respond in a coordinated manner in any scenario. Reaching these investment levels is vital to maintaining a strategic advantage against global actors challenging Western security.
With these statements, both Germany and the United States reinforce a firm stance toward NATO members who do not fulfill their responsibilities, making it clear that collective security depends on the equitable commitment of all allies and that cooperation and shared investment are essential to guarantee the alliance’s stability and protection.
