Edition: The Country That’s Really Pissing Off America — and Why Trump is Fuming About Spain

“What the f** are they doing?” — President Trump, on Israel and Iran.*

But today’s story isn’t just about them.

It’s about the country that might be annoying Trump even more these days.

And that country?

Spain.

That’s right.

While everyone’s eyes are on Russia, Ukraine, China, and the Middle East, Trump’s been in Europe at the NATO summit, delivering his signature brand of “America First” reality-check to allies.

And he’s furious with Spain.

Why?

Because from his point of view, Spain is the ultimate free rider:

✅ They refuse to meet his demand for 5% of GDP in defense spending.
✅ Their economy is booming.
✅ They’re getting rich on American tourism dollars.
✅ They’re absorbing Latin American immigrants that Trump worked so hard to keep out of the U.S.

Let’s break it down.

Trump arrived in The Hague for the NATO summit with one big ask:

For context:

✅ The U.S. alone covers over two-thirds of NATO’s total defense spending.
✅ America’s 2024 defense budget is nearly $1 TRILLION — up 50% in ten years.
✅ Meanwhile, Europe’s top economies barely hit 2%.

Trump’s view?

Surprisingly, many European countries said okay (sort of).

They agreed in principle:

A compromise, sure — but still a big win for Trump.

Enter Spain.

Spain’s Prime Minister didn’t mince words:

Spain’s reasons?

✅ Geography. Russia’s nowhere near.
✅ History. They’d rather fund healthcare, education, welfare.
✅ Current spending? Just 1.28% of GDP. Even 2% is a stretch.

Spain’s PM was so blunt about rejecting Trump’s demand that the two leaders reportedly didn’t even make eye contact at the summit.

Talk about icy.

From Trump’s perspective, Spain is the textbook case of what’s wrong with NATO.

✅ They refuse to pay more for defense.
✅ They benefit from U.S. security guarantees.
✅ They enjoy booming trade and tourism from the U.S.

So Trump threatened tariffs.

But there’s a problem.

Spain is in the EU.

Trump can’t just slap tariffs on Spain alone. He’d have to tariff the whole European Union.

Not exactly simple.

Here’s the part that really burns Trump.

Spain’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in Europe.

And American tourists are a huge reason.

✅ Over 4.2 million Americans visited in 2024.
✅ They spent 40% more per capita than British tourists.
✅ They loved the strong dollar and stayed longer, tipped bigger.

Spain’s tourism industry alone is 12% of GDP — and the U.S. is a big part of that.

Basically, American tourists are stuffing Spain’s coffers.

But there’s another layer.

Spain has Europe’s lowest birthrate: 1.12.

They should be in demographic crisis.

Instead, they’re growing — because they’re importing Latin American immigrants.

✅ Same language.
✅ Same religion.
✅ Similar culture.

Spain actively welcomes them, with policies that grant residency and even citizenship in record time.

Why?

Because they’re critical to staffing Spain’s booming service economy — especially tourism.

It’s also a bit poetic.

500 years ago, Spain conquered Latin America.

Now?

Latin America is coming back — not as conquerors, but as workers and citizens, revitalizing Spain’s economy.

They’re helping reverse Spain’s population decline.

Some call it “the great reverse migration.”

And ironically, it’s only possible because the U.S. slammed the door shut.

Trump can threaten all he wants.

But Spain knows:

✅ He can’t tariff them alone because they’re in the EU.
✅ Cutting off American tourists is impossible.

They’re betting he can’t really punish them.

And they might be right.

Spain’s stance has made them the country that’s really pissing off America right now.

✅ They won’t pay Trump’s price.
✅ They’re growing fast.
✅ They’re doing it with America’s tourists and America’s rejected immigrants.

And for Trump?

It’s infuriating.

It’s personal.

It’s the perfect storm of everything he hates about the old NATO order.

So expect more fireworks.

Should America demand more from allies like Spain?
Is Spain freeloading — or just being smart?

Hit reply and tell us. We might feature your answer in the next issue!

Stay tuned for more in The Trumphone Brief — where we break down the politics, strategy, and drama behind America First, Trump World, and everything in between.

— The Trumphone Team