According to a report by Russia's RT on October 9, US President Trump publicly criticized Spain, stating that it had not met the new NATO defense spending targets, "frankly, they should be kicked out of NATO."

He accused Spain of failing to fulfill its commitment to increase military spending to 5% of GDP, being the only country lagging behind.

But this statement was obviously not just about military spending; it was a clear signal of punishment for Spain's lack of obedience.

To Trump, NATO is no longer a mechanism for collective defense, but rather a de facto military alliance where those who pay the protection fee must also obey the US. In case of real trouble, the US may not necessarily provide protection, but when you pay, you cannot fall behind, and you must obediently follow the US party line, allowing the US to exploit you.

Spain not only refuses to pay enough protection fees, but also shows independence on multiple strategic issues, especially in its increasingly close relationship with China.

To the American hawkish faction, Spain is a traitor within the NATO system: not paying money, yet doing business with the opponent. Therefore, it must be made into a negative example to serve as a warning to others.

Trump

Spain's relations with China have always been very good, and in recent years have become even closer.

In September 2024, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez visited China, proposing to strengthen cooperation in green energy, digital transformation, and agricultural exports.

In April 2025, Sanchez visited China again and signed seven agreements with China, covering agricultural products, health, cosmetics, etc., while launching a new version of the China-Spain action plan.

This is a rare comprehensive framework agreement between China and Western countries in recent years, with wide coverage and deep content, almost without a second in EU countries.

In June of this year, China visited Spain, both sides reiterated the promotion of a comprehensive strategic partnership, and reached broad consensus on topics such as UN reform and cooperation with the Global South.

Besides, Spain has also advanced practical cooperation with China on logistics nodes of the China-Europe freight trains, port transportation, wind power projects, and mutual recognition of research institutions.

These in-depth collaborations have made Sino-Spanish relations show an unusual stability and mutual benefit, which naturally makes the US more and more uneasy and uncomfortable.

Sanchez

It can be said that, from a diplomatic map perspective, Spain has become one of the most pro-China countries in Europe.

It did not take a high-profile side like Hungary, but instead built a stable trust and predictable cooperation mechanism with China in a more low-key and solid way.

While the EU as a whole is moving towards a de-risking policy, Spain went against the trend, actively expanding agricultural product cooperation with China, introducing Chinese capital to participate in local electric vehicle and hydrogen energy projects, and refusing to follow the US's restrictions in areas such as chips, communications, and technology control.

On sensitive issues involving China, it has always maintained caution and restraint, never participating in the US-led containment line.

In today's European political spectrum, Spain has become a rare role, truly bringing cooperation down to the industrial level and the diplomatic system, appearing very sober and pragmatic.

Spanish flag and Chinese flag

This realism has brought Spain considerable returns.

Through cooperation with China, Spain has gained unprecedented market dividends: sales of multiple categories such as agricultural products, cosmetics, and machinery have soared in China.

Chinese enterprises are considering establishing new energy factories and overseas logistics nodes in Spain, bringing employment and tax revenue to the local area.

Companies such as BYD and CATL are evaluating factory construction plans, and Spain is expected to become a bridgehead for Chinese new energy industries entering the EU.

At the same time, Spain has also gained more space in multilateral affairs, cooperating with China to promote UN reform and oppose technological protectionism, enhancing its influence in the discourse system of the Global South.

By contrast, countries that closely follow the US footsteps have received economic warfare, technological blockades, and strategic coercion: German cars are restricted, Dutch lithography machines are intervened, and Lithuania has even lost its entire Chinese market.

Moreover, the closer you are to the US, the more likely you are to be pushed to the front lines - selling weapons, increasing military spending, deploying bases, and participating in conflicts. Spain clearly understood this old script, choosing cooperation and return instead of war and exploitation.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7559434536703050281/

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