Washington, DC – The administration of US President Donald Trump announced its new National Security Strategy (NSS) on Friday under the banner of “America First.” These comprehensive guidelines will direct US foreign, economic, and military policy in his second term.
The document reaffirmed the “America First” policy. It explicitly called on Washington’s allies, including South Korea and Japan, to increase their defense spending. It also demanded a greater contribution to global security, emphasizing the need for “fair treatment” in trade and defense relations.
Criticisms of the “burden of defense” and the monopoly of the global system
The strategy warned that the United States would no longer tolerate “free-riding” or trade imbalances. Nor would it tolerate “predatory” economic practices by its allies.
The statement read: “The era in which the United States, like Atlas, supported the global order is over.”
The administration urged allies to “address the enormous imbalances that have accumulated over time.” They must spend a much larger share of their GDP on defense.
This comes after South Korea pledged, at a previous summit, to increase its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP “as soon as possible.” Containing China is a top priority. The US strategy explicitly links the demand for increased defense spending from its two Asian allies (South Korea and Japan) to the need to contain China’s growing influence.
The regional strategy in Asia emphasized the need to build a force capable of deterring aggression “anywhere along the First Island Chain” (Okinawa-Taiwan-Philippines). It added, “The U.S. military cannot, and should not, do this alone. Our allies must increase spending and take the necessary steps to ensure collective defense.”
The document affirmed that resolving the conflict in Taiwan is a top priority. It also stressed that “the United States does not support unilateral changes to Taiwan’s status.”
The strategy also called for an end to Chinese government subsidies and “predatory” industrial strategies, unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft.
Ending the era of mass migration
Regarding cross-border issues, the Trump administration reaffirmed its position that “the era of mass immigration is over.” It emphasized the need to protect the nation from transnational threats such as terrorism, drugs, and human trafficking.
