Trump Misidentifies Spain as BRICS Member, Sparks Confusion and Response

In an unusual exchange, US President Donald Trump incorrectly labeled Spain as a member of the BRICS group during a discussion about NATO countries and their military spending. When questioned about Spain's defense budget, which ranks notably low among NATO allies at 1.28 percent of its economic output, Trump stated, "Spain is very low," before confusing the nation with BRICS and declaring, "They're a BRICS nation."

The Spanish government responded through Education Minister Pilar Alegría, who expressed confusion regarding Trump’s remark, suggesting it may have been a mistake. Importantly, she confirmed that Spain is not affiliated with BRICS, a coalition that currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several other countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the erroneous classification, Trump reiterated a plan to impose significant tariffs on BRICS nations, a move that would dramatically shift the United States' approach to trade. China's Foreign Ministry responded to these tariff threats by underscoring BRICS as a cooperative platform that promotes inclusivity and mutual economic prosperity rather than opposition to other nations.