- Title: Spain's Sanchez reaps gains from anti-Trump stance, testing ties with U.S.
- Date: 20th February 2026
- Summary: WASHINGTON, U.S (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) SENIOR ADVISOR ON DEFENCE AND NATO AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, WILSON BEAVER, SAYING: “What is not welcome is the very, public and pointing stance that Prime Minister Sanchez is taking against the new NATO defence expending standard which is not only an America desire or push but across all NATO.” MADRID,
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: DONALD TRUMP PEDRO SANCHEZ SPAIN Social Media UNITED STATES economy migration
- Location: SEE SCRIPT BODY FOR LOCATIONS
- City: SEE SCRIPT BODY FOR LOCATIONS
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00G553114022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Pedro Sanchez’s thinly veiled criticisms of U.S. policy play well with his voters but are irritating Spain's powerful ally, where political advisers close to the White House warn the Socialist prime minister to watch his step.
From condemning the United States’ intervention in Venezuela to pushing for stricter controls of social media platforms and opting out of NATO's defence spending target, Sanchez has taken a strikingly defiant tone on issues key to the U.S. agenda.
More than once, the Spanish leader, one of a dwindling number of left-leaning voices in Europe, has pointedly framed his policies in contrast to President Donald Trump’s.
In an op-ed in the New York Times, he said “MAGA-style leaders” were fooling the public on the supposed evils of migration, and that his own plans to crimp digital platforms were “making social media great again".
Supporters say he is sticking to long-held positions popular with voters and with allies in the southern hemisphere, where Europe wants to strengthen ties to reduce dependency on the U.S. and China.
But advisers close to the Trump administration say he is tempting fate, in particular with his refusal to spend more on defence, which has prompted numerous rebukes from Trump.
Benjamin Leon, a longtime Republican donor sworn in last week as U.S. ambassador to Madrid, told U.S. senators at his confirmation hearing that he would press Spain to commit to the U.S.-led NATO alliance’s spending target of 5% of GDP, an amount Sanchez has resisted.
His refusal to let vessels transporting weapons to Israel dock in Spain has prompted a U.S. investigation that could result in restrictions on Spanish shipping to the United States.
Asked about ties with Sanchez, a U.S. State Department spokesperson highlighted Leon's posting and said the U.S. looked forward to working with Spain on "common challenges".
"What is not welcome is the very, public and pointing stance that Prime Minister Sanchez is taking against the new NATO defence expending standard," said Wilson Beaver, senior adviser on defence and NATO at the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank in Trump’s orbit.
Spain's European allies have mostly opted to humour Trump and keep their differences private in the hope that this would advance their agendas, or at least soften his hostility.
"The only difference is that the Spanish government says it and whereas other governments simply try to hide it under the table," said Arancha Gonzalez Laya, a dean at Paris's Sciences Po university and former foreign minister to Sanchez.
Sanchez is in a tight spot at home, where scandals and disputes with splinter parties have stalled his legislative agenda. Foreign policy provides an opportunity to project strength, analysts and pollsters said.
In a YouGov poll last month, 66% of Spaniards had an "unfavourable" view of the U.S., even more than the 45% before Trump's second term began.
Sanchez's other foreign policies also enjoy broad support. According to surveys, most Spaniards view Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, something Israel denies, and condemn the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
And in an Ipsos poll, over 80% supported Sanchez's proposal to ban social media for those under 14.
On defence, Spaniards are more divided, but left-leaning voters support his lower spending pledge, polls indicate.
Some in the conservative opposition blame Sanchez for Spain's exclusion from a bloc set up by the U.S. to trade critical minerals, and from preparatory meetings for December's G20 summit of industrial and developing nations.
Three sources close to Sanchez said ties with the U.S. remained strong, and there was no sign of diplomatic communication drying up.
His supporters can point to Greenland, where Trump’s threats of annexation drove European leaders to take a vocal hard line that secured a retreat.
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