Spain stated on Wednesday that it does not anticipate any negative consequences for falling short of a proposed NATO defence spending target of 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

The goal is expected to be endorsed by alliance members at a summit in The Hague.

"Spain will be a responsible ally," said Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo in an interview with Bloomberg TV. He emphasized that Madrid remains committed to fulfilling its military obligations within NATO, even if it spends less than the 5% threshold.

“There should be no repercussions as long as we meet our commitments and maintain our reliability as a NATO member,” Cuerpo added. “We’re delivering the capabilities we promised, which are essential for NATO’s defense.”

The push for increased spending comes as NATO leaders meet to respond to growing security threats, particularly in light of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The proposed 5% target has been driven in part by U.S. pressure, especially from former President Donald Trump.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez previously stated that Spain would limit its defence spending to 2.1% of GDP, noting that its NATO commitments do not currently require higher expenditure.

Cuerpo also told Spanish radio station RNE that Spain’s defence budget would be reassessed if NATO updates its capability requirements. “Spain will certainly meet the challenge when those necessary capabilities are revised,” he said. Photo by DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, Wikimedia commons.