Madrid (Spain), June 26 (LaPresse) – “We are part of a customs union, a single market, and trade policy is negotiated by Brussels on behalf of all Member States, and we support the European Commission in these negotiations,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez upon his arrival at the European Council, responding to journalists’ questions regarding the threat of a trade war raised by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump's comments came after Sánchez stated that Spain will not spend 5% of its GDP on defense.
“Spain is an open country, a friend to its friends, and we consider the U.S. a friend of Spain,” Sánchez added.
He stressed that Spain is a committed NATO ally, but also a sovereign country, and said this balance is reflected in the declaration adopted yesterday at the Hague Summit, also signed by the United States.
The Socialist leader stated that Madrid will honor its commitments toward meeting NATO capability targets, and reiterated that Spanish armed forces estimate a 2.1% defense spending as sufficient to achieve those goals.
“This commitment is fully compatible with our support for the welfare system,” he concluded.
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