“I think it’s terrible. You know, they (Spain) are doing very well … and that economy could be blown right out of the water when something bad happens,” Trump said, adding that Spain would get a tougher trade deal from the US than other European Union countries.

Trump had long demanded in no uncertain terms that other countries step up their spending to reduce NATO’s heavy reliance on the US

Donald Trump has long pushed for NATO allies to spend more on defence. Source: AAP / ANP/ANP/Sipa USA

Despite an appearance of general agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issue of the steep import tariffs threatened by Trump, and the damage they may do to transatlantic trade, as a barrier to increased defence spending.

The former Dutch prime minister said Trump deserved “all the praise” for getting NATO members to agree on raising defence spending.