The new National Security Strategy (NSS) does not emphasize great-power confrontation but instead clearly states that the economy is the "highest stake."
"The era when the U.S. bore the world order like Atlas has ended," the White House declared in its latest NSS. Typically released in the first year of a presidential term, the NSS guides foreign and security policies. In 2017, Trump's first NSS established an "America First" doctrine, emphasizing "great-power competition."
However, major think tanks such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and the Brookings Institution note that this 33-page document marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, both ideologically and substantively.
The strategy outlines the Trump administration's diplomatic stance with a series of qualifiers: pragmatic but not traditionally "pragmatic," realistic but not "realist," principled but not "idealist," tough but not "hawkish," restrained but not "dovish." It rejects conventional political ideologies, with its core motivation being "America First."
Matt Gertken, Chief Geopolitical/U.S. Political Strategist at BCA Research, described the report as a reflection of pragmatic political thinking and a clear statement of the administration's intent. "The document takes a sharp stance toward European allies, urging them to combat 'woke' ideological trends," he noted. "But more practically, it focuses on a Trumpian corollary to the Monroe Doctrine—prioritizing the Western Hemisphere."
**Core Principles of U.S. Foreign Policy** The NSS asserts that U.S. foreign, defense, and intelligence policies must adhere to key principles, foremost among them avoiding vague generalizations about national interests. It lists five core security interests: 1. Ensuring stability and dominance in the Western Hemisphere. 2. Safeguarding economic security and a free, open Indo-Pacific. 3. Protecting Europe’s security and cultural health. 4. Preventing hostile dominance in the Middle East. 5. Establishing technological superiority and global standards control.
Compared to Trump’s 2017 NSS, which emphasized "great-power competition," the new strategy downplays such rivalry, instead framing economics as the "highest stake." It also significantly departs from the Biden administration’s emphasis on a "rules-based international order," a phrase mentioned just once in the latest document—and only to criticize Biden-era policies.
The Trump administration pledges a "non-interventionist tilt," setting a high bar for foreign interventions and advocating "flexible realism" in building commercial relationships without imposing democratic reforms. This contrasts sharply with the 2017 NSS, which framed global politics as a battle between "repressive systems and free societies." The new NSS criticizes past U.S. efforts to pressure Gulf monarchies into abandoning traditional governance, advocating instead for organic reform.
Additionally, the NSS demands fair treatment in military alliances and trade, urging allies to increase defense spending to redress imbalances caused by decades of U.S. overcommitment.
**Harsh Criticism of Allies** The NSS’s blunt assessment of Europe has drawn sharp reactions. Beyond military underspending and economic stagnation, it warns of deeper crises: EU institutions eroding national sovereignty, migration-driven demographic shifts, suppressed dissent, plummeting birthrates, and fading civilizational confidence. The document even suggests Europe faces "civilizational erasure," urging U.S. action to "correct its trajectory."
Liana Fix, CFR Senior Fellow for Europe, noted the NSS adopts a "civilizational" lens—a radical departure from past U.S. approaches. Emily Harding of CSIS added that Europe’s response will likely mirror the shock following Vice President Vance’s Munich Security Conference speech.
European officials have pushed back. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul dismissed "external advice," while former French Ambassador Gérard Araud called the document "far-right propaganda" confirming Trump as "Europe’s enemy."
Gertken predicts Europe may unite faster under U.S. unpredictability, boosting fiscal support for domestic industries, retraining, and renewables.
**Regional Shifts and Economic Priorities** The NSS elevates Latin America as a strategic priority, urging a revival of the Monroe Doctrine to secure U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere—a "fundamental prerequisite" for security and prosperity. It directs diplomats to pursue lucrative contracts, exclusively favoring U.S. firms in dependent nations. CFR’s Will Freeman called this focus "compelling," given border failures and the region’s resource and supply-chain potential.
Economically, the NSS prioritizes rebalancing trade, securing critical minerals, and bolstering supply chains. It advocates "strategic tariffs" and tech-driven reindustrialization while reinforcing U.S. energy and financial dominance. Yet, reindustrialization remains elusive: manufacturing has lost 58,000 jobs since April, with employment contracting for nine straight months, per ISM data.
Tsinghua University’s Professor Ma Hong argued tariffs alone won’t reshore industries, as global supply chains reflect comparative advantages. The U.S. lacks the conditions for such production.
On energy and finance, the NSS rejects climate goals, vowing to restore U.S. leadership in fossil fuels and nuclear power. It acknowledges financial markets as a pillar of influence, pledging to strengthen this leverage for national security aims.
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