Trump lashes out at allies as key NATO summit begins

Lead

US President Donald Trump opened the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday with a series of sharp rebukes against allies, declaring the Iran ceasefire "over," calling Spain a "terrible partner," and renewing his push for Greenland, overshadowing the meeting's focus on Ukraine and defense spending.

Trump's remarks, delivered as he met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before the main sessions, injected fresh turbulence into a summit that European leaders had hoped would project unity, according to multiple reports.

Coverage comparison

The president's statements were covered by several international outlets, with varying emphasis. Al Jazeera reported that Trump threatened to cut ties with Spain while insisting he still wanted Greenland, as NATO leaders met in Ankara. France 24 and The Hindu emphasized Trump's criticisms of allies and his declaration that the Iran ceasefire was "over," while also noting Rutte's attempts to shore up confidence in Washington's commitment to the alliance. The Jerusalem Post described Trump as having thrown the summit "into disarray" with his demands on Spain and renewed claims on Greenland.

Key claims

Trump told reporters in Ankara that he was "very upset with NATO" because of its stance on Greenland and the alliance's failure to support his campaign against Iran. He singled out Spain, saying: "Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," and he urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut it off." The president labeled Spain a "terrible partner in NATO" during his remarks.

The strain with Spain stems from Madrid's refusal to support US military actions against Iran, including the use of Spanish bases and airspace, as well as its unwillingness to increase defense spending. Spain said the US would not be allowed to use joint military bases on its territory for operations against Iran and closed its airspace to US planes involved in the conflict, according to reports.

In response, the office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez issued a statement describing Trump's statements as "business as usual," affirming that Spain does not intend to change its relations with Washington, which it called "excellent." The statement also noted that Spain has a trade deficit with the US and that economic ties are primarily driven by private companies rather than governments.

The European Union said it expects the US to honor its trade deal obligations with the bloc, referencing a joint statement signed last year.

Greenland Dispute

Trump also reiterated his desire for Greenland, a Danish territory and NATO member. He said, "I'm very upset with NATO... because of what they did with Greenland, and... because of the fact that they didn't want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that's Iran."

He stated that "Greenland is a big problem for us," insisting the island was "very important for the United States, but it's not important for Denmark." He added that "We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States... It doesn't help Denmark, but it helps us."

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had earlier issued a terse response, saying: "Greenland is, of course, not for sale."

Alliance Unity

NATO chief Mark Rutte sought to project confidence in Washington's "complete commitment" to the military alliance, according to reports from France 24 and The Hindu. The summit comes at a fraught time for the transatlantic alliance, which observers noted as being under strain over Iran policy, defense spending, and territorial ambitions.

Rutte was also reported to have defended the US strikes against Iran, in an attempt to assuage European concerns, and had praised Trump for bringing these issues to the fore.

European Defense Spending

The summit follows a series of rows over defense spending, with European NATO members having stepped up their military contributions. Recent data indicates that core defense spending by Europe had risen by 11% in 2026 and would reach $634 billion, up from $571 billion a year earlier. Additionally, at least $50 billion in defense initiatives were unveiled in the lead-up to the summit.

Ukraine and Beyond

Beyond the immediate Trump remarks, the summit is expected to discuss continued support for Ukraine, with Europe and Canada set to pledge about €70 billion per year in military assistance for 2026 and 2027. Trump reportedly said he believed both sides wanted to end the fighting in Ukraine.

Reportes also indicate that the US may consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye and rolling back sanctions, a topic that has been a point of contention in recent years.

Perspectives

• Trump's Viewpoint: The US president expressed frustration with NATO allies, demanding higher defense spending, criticizing their lack of support for his Iran policy, and renewing his desire for Greenland.
• Spain's Viewpoint: The Spanish government, through Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's office, downplayed Trump's threats, describing them as "business as usual" and asserting that trade relations are not solely in government hands.
• Denmark's Viewpoint: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, pushing back against Trump's territorial claims.
• NATO Leadership Viewpoint: Secretary General Mark Rutte sought to reassure allies of US commitments while also defending US actions, attempting to bridge differences and maintain unity.