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U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said<\/a> the United States would end all trade with Spain over what he characterized as its lack of contributions to defense spending. Speaking from the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said Spain was a terrible partner in NATO and suggested that it shouldn\u2019t be part of the organization. Trump has long urged allies to increase their defense spending to 5% of their total gross domestic product by 2035, but Spain\u2019s spending<\/a> is currently about 2%.<\/p>\n It was unclear how Trump planned to halt trade with Spain, since it is a member of the European Union and therefore a party to its trade agreements with the United States. Trump also intended to stop diplomatic visits to Spain, he said. He said the country\u2019s leaders would, in his words, come running back asking to trade with the United States and suggested that they would be willing to increase their defense spending to restore relations.<\/p>\n How did Spain respond? Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez said<\/a> Wednesday that relations with the United States remained excellent, including in economic and political matters, according to EuroNews. Sanchez also said<\/a> Spain was completely committed to European and Atlantic security. His country provided essential protection for partners in its area, he said. Spain would contribute to a NATO security effort in Finland, he said.<\/p>\n Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia was less diplomatic on Wednesday, accusing<\/a> Trump of using blackmail and threats against a country that defended multilateral relations and peace.<\/p>\n