US President Donald Trump remarked that NATO had made significant progress after the Ankara summit wrapped up on Wednesday.

The president arrived at the meeting voicing worries over the disparity between US contributions to NATO and the backing received in return.

On Tuesday, Trump expressed disappointment to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding NATO, highlighting Britain, France, Germany and Italy for falling short in aiding the US effort against Iran.

Trump noted that allies had not treated the US fairly, though he stressed he neither sought nor required their assistance.

Yet after the two-day summit featured NATO nations announcing substantial new arms agreements worth tens of billions, the president shifted his stance.

NATO countries appeared to regain Trump's support

During remarks at the summit on Wednesday morning, Trump labeled Madrid a poor NATO ally while criticizing partners for lacking support in the Iran conflict and directing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stop all trade involving Spain.

"Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore," Trump said. "By the way, I'd like to cut it off. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate; they don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits."

Following the summit where European leaders rushed to demonstrate greater commitment to continental defense, Trump's outlook on the alliance moved toward a more favorable view.

Hours afterward on the flight home, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that issues remained but praised Spain for its turnaround and generosity that day.

Existing NATO strains, already heightened by matters involving Ukraine and Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, intensified further after the US strike on Iran in February.

Trump has continued to fault NATO members for inadequate help in the conflict and has floated the possibility of leaving the alliance.