Tillis Warns NATO Funding Gap Threatens U.S. Security as Trump Administration Offers Confusing Stance

Senator Thom Tillis, speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” from the Munich Security Conference in Germany, warned that NATO remains vital to U.S. security but criticized the Trump administration for offering inconsistent messaging on the alliance while urging European allies to increase sustained defense funding.

“The NATO alliance is the most important alliance in the history of mankind,” Tillis said, emphasizing Congress remains committed to the alliance. He noted President Trump is attempting to get NATO allies to perform more strongly and achieve a level of independence, but added that Congress has its back.

Tillis stated he would not describe U.S. support as “in a more limited and focused fashion.” “I would not have used those words,” he said, asserting the alliance “makes us the world’s superpower, what keeps this world safer.”

The senator attributed much of the strain in U.S.-NATO relations to a long-term defense spending gap in Europe. Citing a “$2 trillion shortfall” over two decades, Tillis warned it has affected readiness, innovation, and manufacturing capacity. He urged European allies not to treat reinvestment as a temporary crisis response but to step up commitments: “Europe needs to step up, not let this be episodic.” Increased spending would build “their capabilities, their interoperability, and their ability to work with NATO allies if a conflict occurs.”

Tillis criticized President Trump’s call for the U.S. to take over Greenland as “irresponsible,” stating it is “wrong” to escalate rhetoric rather than modernize existing arrangements. He added: “To me, it was irresponsible to go anywhere other than figuring out how we modernize the 1951 agreement.” He urged respect for Denmark and Greenland while calling for a “fiscally sound, sustainable way to project power” with Arctic allies to deter China and Russia.

On trade, Tillis said Congress should focus on updating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, stating: “What I think we need to do is get the USMCA modernization agreement on the table and address that in the context of strengthening our relationship with Canada and Mexico.” He warned tariffs must be “surgical” not “blunt force objects” in negotiations.

Tillis questioned specific tariffs, noting he still “can’t figure out why we have a 50% tariff on Brazil when we have a trade surplus,” calling such policies “irrational.”

Regarding the Federal Reserve, Tillis reiterated his commitment to blocking nominations pending Justice Department investigations involving Chair Jerome Powell: “I’ve tried to make it very clear that I have no intention of supporting any confirmation of any Fed board member, chair, or otherwise … until this is resolved.”

When asked about November elections, Tillis predicted Republicans would hold the Senate but expressed uncertainty over the House due to potential redistricting “overreach” and the “historic challenge of a midterm election after a presidential election.” He confirmed he will continue publicly challenging the administration’s approach: “If I have to speak bluntly, that’s what I’m going to do in my remaining time in the Senate.”