Spain’s leader sticks by decision to break with Nato on defence spending

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Picture: Markus Schreiber/AP

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez walked away from this week’s Nato summit with an opt-out from spending more on defence as well as fresh threats of tariffs from US President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, the progressive Spanish leader stuck by his decision to break with Nato allies and responded to Mr Trump’s comments by pointing out that the European Commission — and not Spain — was who decided the bloc’s trade policy.