Trump attacks NATO allies over Greenland, Spain and Iran at Ankara summit
US President Donald Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara to sharply criticise allies over Greenland, Spain and their support for his campaign against Iran. His remarks came on the final day of the two-day gathering, which was already under strain from divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine, defence spending and the fallout from the conflict involving the United States and Iran. The comments added to pressure on a summit that was meant to project unity among the alliance's leaders.
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Trump said he still wanted Greenland and described European resistance to that position as a "big problem". He also said he was "very upset with NATO" over Greenland and over what he described as a lack of help against Iran, which he called the "number one state sponsor of terror". He singled out Spain as a "terrible partner in NATO" and said he did not want to do trade business with it anymore, urging his Treasury secretary to "cut it off".
The remarks came after an overnight flare-up between US and Iranian forces, with Trump declaring the Iran ceasefire was "over" before turning his criticism on allies. The summit was taking place as NATO leaders tried to reassure one another about the alliance's direction and the United States' commitment to collective defence. NATO chief Mark Rutte had earlier sought to calm concerns by stressing Washington's "complete commitment" to the alliance.
The dispute matters because it touches several sensitive issues at once: NATO unity, transatlantic trade, and the future of Greenland, which is part of Denmark. Trump's comments also underline how the war in Iran and the war in Ukraine are shaping the political atmosphere around the summit. For European allies, the episode is another sign that disagreements with Washington are not limited to defence spending but extend to broader questions of strategy and trust.
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Trump's renewed focus on Greenland revived a long-running row with Denmark and other European governments. Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, had already responded to earlier remarks by saying: "Greenland is, of course, not for sale." That exchange has become part of a wider pattern of friction between Trump and European allies over sovereignty, security and burden-sharing inside NATO. Spain was also drawn into the dispute because of tensions over its role in the alliance and its defence spending.
Trump's threat to cut trade ties with Spain added an economic dimension to what was otherwise a security summit. His language suggested that disagreements over military commitments could spill into commercial relations, increasing the stakes for European governments trying to keep the alliance aligned. The summit in Ankara was also notable for Trump's warmer tone toward Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after his arrival on Tuesday.
That contrast highlighted the uneven nature of Trump's relationships with NATO members, with some leaders receiving praise and others public criticism. At the same time, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was holding talks with leaders as he sought continued European backing against Russia's war. What remains unclear is whether Trump's remarks will lead to any immediate policy changes or whether they are mainly a sign of deeper political tension within the alliance.
It is also not yet clear how far the dispute over Iran will affect NATO coordination in the coming days. The next developments to watch are any formal responses from Denmark, Spain and NATO officials, and whether the summit produces a more unified statement despite the public confrontation.
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