The White House on Thursday secretly released President Donald Trump's New National Security Strategy, a document that contains harsh assessments of Europe and focuses on the relationship with Russia, paying less attention to the Middle East and Africa.
The White House published President Trump's New National Security Strategy PHOTO: Profimedia
The strategy emphasizes that the main objective of the US in Europe is the normalization of relations with Russia and a quick end to the war in Ukraine. The document states: “It is in the fundamental interest of the United States to negotiate a rapid cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, to stabilize European economies, prevent the escalation or unintended extension of war, and restore strategic stability with Russia, as well as to enable the post-hostilities reconstruction of Ukraine to enable it to survive as a viable state.”
Harsh criticism of European states
The strategy makes scathing accusations against Europe, saying that the economic decline is outpaced by “the loss of civilization” caused by European Union migration policies and over-regulation: “The larger problems facing Europe include the activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political freedom and sovereignty, migration policies that transform the continent and create conflict, censorship of free speech and the suppression of political opposition, declining birth rates and the loss of national identities and self-confidence“.
The document warns that Europe could be “unrecognizable” over the next 20 years and questions its role as a trusted ally of the US: “If current trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less. As such, it is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies. Many of these nations are redoubling their efforts on the current track. We want Europe to remain European, to regain its civilizational self-confidence“.
The relationship with Russia, a major concern
The Trump administration believes that Europe's lack of self-confidence is reflected in relations with Russia, now considered an existential threat by Europeans:
“This lack of self-confidence is most evident in Europe's relationship with Russia. European allies enjoy a significant coherent power advantage over Russia in almost every respect except nuclear weapons. As a result of Russia's war in Ukraine, European relations with Russia are now deeply strained, and many Europeans view Russia as an existential threat. Managing European relations with Russia will require significant US diplomatic engagement, both to restore the terms of engagement strategic stability throughout the Eurasian territory, as well as to mitigate the risk of a conflict between Russia and European states“.
The strategy also emphasizes Europe's economic dependencies, noting Germany, which “build some of the world's largest processing plants in China, using Russian gas they can't get at home”.
Relations with China and diplomatic attention
The document draws attention to relations with China, where the Trump administration declares itself cautious: “The U.S. must recalibrate its economic relationship with China, prioritizing reciprocity and equity to restore American economic independence”. The strategy also notes that “trade with China should be balanced and focused on non-sensitive factors” and requests maintenance “a truly mutually beneficial economic relationship with Beijing“, reports Politico.
Global priorities and traditional values
The new National Security Strategy emphasizes that the US must make difficult choices on the global stage and criticizes the post-Cold War perception that permanent US dominance of the world is a supreme interest:
“The affairs of other countries are our concern only if their activities directly threaten our interests”.
Trump presented the strategy as “a road map to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history and the homeland of freedom on earth”. The document also refers to traditional values and the role of the family: “restoring and revitalizing American spiritual and cultural health”“an America that cherishes its past glories and its heroes” and the need for a “increasing numbers of strong, traditional families raising healthy children.”
