U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) praised President Donald Trump this week after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries committed to spending more on their national defense.
During the recent summit attended by Trump, the majority of NATO countries agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of each country’s total gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.
Rogers, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, said that the agreement will help deter threats from countries like China and Russia.
“NATO’s decision to raise its defense spending commitment to 5% of GDP is a vital response to the growing threat posed by Vladimir Putin and the deepening cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea,” Rogers said. “Front-line allies like Poland and the Baltic states were already pulling their weight, the long-overdue investments now pledged by other European and Canadian allies will strengthen the Alliance significantly.”
Latest from Chairman @RepMikeRogersAL — pic.twitter.com/173e1DRrs6
— Armed Services GOP (@HASCRepublicans) June 25, 2025
The congressman gave credit to Trump for getting member countries on the same page with their defense spending.
“President Trump was right to insist that our Allies shoulder a greater share of our collective defense—and his leadership was critical to making it happen,” he said. “Ultimately, a more lethal NATO, backed by continued U.S. leadership and real burden sharing, will deter our adversaries, preserve peace, and advance America’s national interest.”
Spain was the only country in NATO to argue against the decision, saying they would have to cut essential services in the country to afford the defense increase.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
