Disagreement Between the Government and NATO Leader Over 2% Defence Spending

On Thursday, the Government and NATO were at odds over when Spain might reach the 2% defence spending target relative to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This amount, beyond the demands of US President Donald Trump, seems to have unofficially become the minimum threshold expected from member states by the Atlantic Alliance itself. The difference in this case lies more in the interpretation of what remains an intention rather than a fact.

The first to spark the political controversy was NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte himself. During a meeting on Wednesday in Warsaw—a debate at the capital's Faculty of Economics, the content of which did not emerge until almost a day later—he stated that 'Spain wants to reach 2% (of GDP in military spending) this summer', in line with other countries like Belgium. Hours passed without much attention until late Thursday, when Moncloa clarified to the former Dutch leader that Pedro Sánchez's government has only committed to 'doing the utmost possible' to reach the mentioned target during the upcoming summer season.

In reality, Rutte did not go further in his statements—according to what has been known—nor was there a strong assertion in that 'want' he pointed to regarding Spain. However, given the public differences between PSOE and Sumar on this issue, as well as with other parliamentary allies, the Government preferred to unofficially address the media through its sources to express their discontent with the Alliance leader's words, insisting that their only commitment is to 'get as close as possible to that 2% spending'.