US President Donald Trump has once again voiced his dissatisfaction with NATO, citing its stance on Greenland and its refusal to assist with Iran. Trump made these statements during a meeting with alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, The Guardian reports.
He noted that he had spoken with several countries that had not offered help. Trump specifically criticized Spain, stating that he wanted nothing to do with the country and had instructed his officials to halt all trade with Spain.
"Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they don't pay, I don't want to have any dealings with Spain. Stop all trade with Spain, including visits. We want nothing. They'll come running back," Trump said.
The US President also spoke once again about Greenland, calling it a "big problem for us" and expressing regret that the US spends so much money "protecting those countries from Russia" but receives nothing in return. According to him, NATO countries "have not treated the US right."
"I am very upset with NATO, to which we pay too much," he declared.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, for his part, said he understood Trump's frustrations but insisted that these were "separate" cases.
Regarding Greenland, Rutte said that an agreement had been made in Davos to increase the US military presence there and promised to "make sure that deal is carried out step by step."
In response, Trump reiterated that Greenland is "very important to the US, but not important to Denmark."
