US President Donald Trump criticized Spain at a political event held in North Dakota. Trump stated that although Spain is a NATO member, it does not contribute sufficiently to the alliance, saying, 'Spain is a NATO member but not a good NATO member.'
Trump said that Spain particularly does not support military operations against Iran and NATO obligations. Referencing former US President Theodore Roosevelt's battles against the Spanish, Trump recounted that Roosevelt's victories broke the Spanish line. Listing regions historically under Spanish influence such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam, Trump said, '(Spain) They are not treating us well. Soon they will understand when they see these places slipping away from them. All of them were once ours.'
Touching on the Panama Canal, Trump described the canal as built by the US and its later handover as 'a strategic mistake.' Noting that Washington will take action against China's growing influence in the region, Trump said of the Cuban government, 'After decades, it is moving in our direction.'