• Donald Trump did not repeat criticism of Spain during the NATO summit meeting, according to a source familiar with the talks.
  • The former president also did not reiterate termination of the interim deal with Iran or mention Greenland in the discussions.
  • The absence of these topics suggests a tactical effort to maintain alliance unity amid ongoing defense spending negotiations.

Careful Calibration

At the NATO leaders' summit, Donald Trump refrained from repeating earlier criticisms of Spain, did not reiterate his termination of an interim agreement with Iran, and avoided any mention of Greenland, a source familiar with the talks said. The deliberate omission of these potentially contentious topics indicates a calibrated approach to preserving alliance cohesion.

The summit discussions focused heavily on defense spending commitments, with allies pushing toward a target of 5% of GDP. The outcome was framed as a win for U.S. strategic aims, reflecting ongoing tensions between Washington's priorities and European budget debates. According to people familiar with the matter, Trump's team sought to avoid distractions that could undermine the messaging on burden-sharing.

Iran and Alliance Dynamics

Trump's Iran policy remained a central thread, with allies closely watching how U.S. actions—including recent strikes and ceasefire dynamics—affect coalition cohesion. The absence of any mention of ending the interim deal suggests a desire to keep the focus on broader strategic alignment. A source close to the discussions noted that "the priority was to show a united front on deterrence."

Meanwhile, Spain's defense spending trajectory continued to be a talking point within the alliance. However, Trump did not single out Madrid for criticism, a departure from his past rhetoric. The move may reflect an attempt to smooth over differences as allies negotiate burden-sharing and regional commitments tied to Ukraine and Iran security concerns.

Greenland Off the Table

The lack of any reference to Greenland is notable given Trump's previous push to purchase the territory. By avoiding the issue, he appeared to sidestep a potential source of friction with Denmark and other European allies. A person familiar with the summit's internal dynamics said the focus was entirely on "substantive security issues, not real estate."

The carefully managed tone of the discussions highlights the delicate balance Trump is striking between projecting strength and preserving alliance unity. Public reactions have been mixed, with some appreciating the emphasis on defense spending commitments and others wary of transactional diplomacy. As one European diplomat put it, "it was a summit about getting things done, not about picking fights."

Correction, July 12, 2025: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of the summit. It was held this week, not last.