U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Spain at a political rally in North Dakota for not fulfilling its NATO obligations. Trump said, "Spain is a NATO member but not a good NATO member."
Trump claimed that Spain does not provide enough support, particularly for military operations against Iran and NATO commitments. In his speech, Trump referenced former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's victories against the Spanish, listing regions where Spain historically had influence such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam, and said, "(Spain) They don't treat us well. Soon they will understand when they see these places slipping away from them. All of them were once ours."
Also touching on the Panama Canal, Trump said the canal was built by the U.S. and described its later handover as a "strategic mistake." Stating that Washington would take action against China's growing influence in the region, Trump said of the Cuban government, "After decades, it is coming toward us."