LONDON

The Spanish government reacted strongly on Wednesday to US President Donald Trump's remarks about imposing tariffs on Spain if it does not increase defense spending, warning that such a policy would cost American citizens.

Speaking at parliament, Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz said the "intended punishment" the US president wants to impose on Spain will be "very costly" for the Americans.

"Spain's trade balance with the US is in deficit, meaning these policies are going to hurt the Americans," she warned, as quoted by the country's public broadcaster RTVE.

Her comments came after Trump threatened tariffs on Spain again over its refusal to increase NATO defense spending.

"I'm very unhappy with Spain. They're the only country that didn't raise their number up to 5%... so I'm not happy with Spain," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Diaz also noted that they have to defend the oil industry, the automotive industry, or the affected sectors, adding: "In Spain, the Spanish are in charge; we are not their protectorate."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares reiterated the country's commitment to NATO and all it contributes to Euro-Atlantic security, labeling it "beyond any doubt."

Spain "is a reliable ally," with maximum deployment on the Eastern European flank, "fundamental" to the region's security, he told reporters on Wednesday in China.

For her part, Science Minister Diana Morant said Trump is "regular in making certain statements," but that the important thing is that "the other day with (Prime Minister Pedro) Sanchez, he was quite cordial."