The prestigious British newspaper Financial Times has launched A hard warning about the international position of the president of the Spanish GovernmentPedro Sánchez, Following its refusal to meet the new objective of NATOto raise the expense in defense up to 5% of GDP in the next ten years.
According to the medium, this decision Not only has it generated a deep discomfort among European allies, but has unleashed the anger of US president, Donald Trump, placing Spain in a particularly vulnerable position.
A risky calculation with consequences for Spain
The Financial Times He qualifies Sánchez’s maneuver as a “risky bet” I could have serious consequences for Spanish economy and political stability. The newspaper emphasizes that, despite having signed the agreement with its partners of the Alliance, Sánchez has chosen to unmarked the commitment, arguing that the increase in military spending is “impossible” without cutting essential public services. This position, according to the FT, has been considered by European diplomats as “selfish and reckless”, since it threatens to break the NATO unity at a crucial moment.
The British publication emphasizes that The exemption requested by Spain could open the door for other countries, such as Italy, Belgium or Portugal, to claim similar treatmentwhich would endanger the integrity of the covenant and cohesion of the Atlantic Alliance.
Trump threatens reprisals: “Spain will pay double”
The eNFRETTATION BETWEEN SÁNCHEZ AND TRUMP has intensified after the NATO Summit In The Hague. The US president has publicly warned that, If Spain does not meet the objective of 5%, “will pay double”, suggesting the imposition of commercial tariffs as a pressure measure. Although Trump cannot impose tariffs unilaterally on Spain, he could negotiate agreements at the European Union level that directly affect key sectors of the Spanish economy, such as iron, aluminum, car or agri -food products.
Experts cited by the Financial Times consider that Trump will exert a “tremendous pressure” on Spain and? There is “a good opportunity for the Government to collapse” due to the Corruption cases that affect Sánchez’s environmentsituation that the US president could try to take advantage of in his favor.
Sanchez, weakened by internal scandals and isolated in NATO
The Financial Times too Contextualizes Sánchez’s international crisis in a moment of internal weaknessmarked by a series of corruption scandals that dot his closest circle, including his wife and brother. The newspaper suggests that the Spanish president could be using the confrontation with Trump and the NATO summit to divert media attention from these domestic problems.
The International Press has collected Sánchez’s growing isolation within the Atlantic Alliance, with Poland and Belgium leading criticism of the Spanish exemption and warning of the risk of The Summit “falls into the acrimony” If other countries follow their example. Political, meanwhile, has come to qualify Spain as “the new villain” of NATO.
Strategic implications: from the Base Rota to global policy
Financial Times remembers that The relationship between Sánchez and Trump was already marked by deep political differences and strategiclike Spain’s position on Israel and Palestine, Approaches to China or criticism of the American technology industry. In addition, it highlights the importance of Rota’s military base for the global defense of the United States and Europe, stressing that any deterioration in bilateral relations could have implications beyond the economic field.
