The NATO summit concluded with Spain creating an unprecedented diplomatic paradox by signing the 5% defense spending agreement while immediately declaring it would only spend 2.1% of GDP. Sánchez avoided greeting Trump and stepped away from the family photo, maintaining his defiant stance throughout the morning sessions.
Trump's retaliation was swift and public, threatening Spain with doubled tariffs and calling the country's position "terrible" and "unfair." The president promised commercial warfare to make Spain "pay double" for what he termed its betrayal of alliance obligations.
The Spanish government's response fragmented along coalition lines, with Deputy Prime Minister Díaz declaring Spain "sovereign" and rejecting American threats, while Sánchez claimed NATO chief Rutte had granted flexibility. The cost calculations emerged starkly: maintaining 2.1% spending would require 9.4 billion euros more by 2028, while reaching 5% would cost 107 billion.
Domestically, Judge Peinado's corruption investigation continued pressuring Justice Minister Bolaños, with new emails from Begoña Gómez's advisor surfacing as evidence.