Trump undertakes to make Spain pay for avoiding the goal of new spending on NATO

US President Donald Trump On Wednesday he said Spain’s refusal to meet NATO defensive spending goal Of 5 % of GDP will mean a tougher business deal for the southern European country.

Speaking at a press conference at the NATO annual summit in the Netherlands, Trump said he was “terrible” that Spain would not commit to meeting the goal by 2035.

“You know that they are well, the economy (does) very well. This economy can be detonated directly from water with something bad,” Trump said.

“You know what we will do? We are negotiating with Spain in a commercial deal and we will make them pay twice – and I am actually serious.

“So, they want a little free trip, but they will have to pay us on trade because I will not leave that. This is not fair,” Trump said.

His comments come shortly after NATO allies Agreed For more than twice the goal of defensive spending from 2 % of GDP to 5 % by 2035.

In a joint declaration, the Western military bloc said it was “united in the face of deep security threats and challenges”, especially the long -term threat posed by Russia for European Atlantic Security and “the constant threat” of terrorism.

Earlier in the day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the country will achieve goals for the new NATO capabilities, which indicate the measures that members must take to defend themselves and the broader military alliance.

However, Sanchez said Madrid is 2 % of the current defensive spending as “sufficient, realistic and compatible with the luxury state.” According to the NATO allies, Sanchez, NATO, stated for “respect for the sovereignty of Spain.”

A spokesperson for the Spanish government was not immediately available when contacting him by CNBC.

Trump may find that it is difficult to make his pledge to make Spain pushing trade given the country’s position as a member of the European Union.

The bloc negotiate 27 countries on trade agreements collectively. In fact, who is currently scrambling from an agreement with the Trump administration before the deadline on July 9 set by the American President.

Holly Eliaat of CNBC contributed to this report.