Ankara, July 8 -- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at the Spanish government over its defence spending within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), calling the country a "wasted cause" and saying that the United States would not be doing trade business with it "anymore".

Speaking to reporters during his meeting with NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump criticised Spain's role in the alliance, calling it a "terrible partner" and stating that he doesn't want to do anything with Spain.

"Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way," Trump said.

"Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate, they...