Trump’s National Security Strategy Redraws Global Lines: Allies, Adversaries, and America First

America First, Reimagined: The Core of Trump’s Security Strategy

In December 2025, President Donald Trump’s administration unveiled a new National Security Strategy (NSS)—a document that many analysts say represents the most radical reimagining of U.S. foreign policy since the end of World War II. While some hail its commitment to American strength, others warn it marks a dangerous departure from established norms and alliances. The NSS, which promises to revitalize American economic and military preeminence, doubles down on pillars of U.S. grand strategy but injects a distinctly nationalist, populist flavor.

Central to Trump’s approach is the reaffirmation of U.S. military dominance. The NSS touts “overmatch,” calling for the world’s most robust nuclear deterrent and next-generation missile defenses—including what it terms a “Golden Dome” for American homeland security. These measures are designed to prevent the emergence of dominant adversaries and maintain the U.S. as the global military leader, echoing the strategic imperatives that have shaped U.S. policy since 1945 (Foreign Policy).

Economic priorities are also foregrounded. The NSS advocates “fair, reciprocal trade deals” and seeks to secure America’s position as the world’s reserve currency. It identifies the Indo-Pacific region as a critical zone of competition, especially with China, and emphasizes the need for economic engagement with allies in Asia, the Western Hemisphere, and Africa. There is a pronounced emphasis on reshoring manufacturing, securing supply chains, and addressing grievances from the “losers of globalization”—a clear nod to the populist base that propelled Trump to power (Truthout).

Europe in the Crosshairs: Far-Right Support and Transatlantic Tensions

Perhaps the most contentious aspect of Trump’s NSS is its treatment of Europe. The document openly criticizes European leaders for their “unrealistic expectations” regarding the war in Ukraine and for allegedly failing to protect their national identities in the face of mass migration. The strategy takes aim at the European Union, accusing it of “undermining political liberty” and “censorship of free speech,” while simultaneously praising far-right European parties and calling for a recalibration of U.S. support for the continent (Truthout, The Guardian).

European leaders were quick to respond. António Costa, President of the European Council, cautioned against American interference in European domestic politics, stating, “Allies do not threaten to interfere in the domestic political choices of their allies.” The strategy’s explicit support for nationalist movements has rattled traditional transatlantic bonds, prompting fears of a fundamental shift in U.S.-European relations.

In apparent rebuke, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping $900 billion defense bill that strengthens European security and places fresh limits on Trump’s authority to reduce troop levels or downgrade NATO-linked missions. The bill, advancing to the Senate, underscores Congress’s commitment to the Baltic states and hardens NATO’s northeastern flank—contrasting with Trump’s skepticism of Europe’s strategic importance (The Guardian).

Global Implications: Reviving Old Doctrines, Confronting New Threats

Trump’s NSS invokes the Monroe Doctrine and introduces a “Trump Corollary,” signaling a return to classical American imperialism in the Western Hemisphere. Migration, drugs, and China are identified as primary threats, with expanded U.S. military presence in the region deemed essential. The strategy calls for “Enlist and Expand”—enlisting governments and movements to combat mass migration and drug trafficking, while discouraging collaboration with outside powers (Truthout).

In the Indo-Pacific, the NSS frames China as the principal rival, though it downplays ideological differences and focuses instead on economic and technological competition. The document celebrates America’s “world-leading” tech sector and pledges to ensure U.S. standards in AI, biotech, and quantum computing drive global progress. Notably, the strategy provides little attention to regional partners like Japan, South Korea, or India, narrowing its focus almost exclusively to China.

The NSS also highlights Operation Midnight Hammer as a major success in countering nuclear proliferation, particularly with Iran. However, critics note its lack of clarity regarding the “axis of aggressors”—a grouping of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The omission of North Korea and the reduction of Russia’s challenge to a mediator role between Europe and Putin are seen as significant weaknesses in the strategic framework (Foreign Policy).

Democracy, Human Rights, and the New World Order

One of the most controversial elements of Trump’s NSS is its disavowal of promoting democracy and human rights abroad. While it celebrates American freedom and welcomes “genuine democracy” among like-minded partners, it rejects “imposing” democratic change on countries whose traditions differ. Critics argue that this pragmatic restraint risks abandoning the longstanding liberal international order and could embolden autocratic regimes. The NSS’s approach to the Middle East further underscores this shift, as it calls for respect of “historic forms of government” in the Gulf states and claims progress toward peace in Gaza, despite ongoing conflict.

Analysts are divided on the broader implications. Some see the NSS as a necessary update to U.S. strategy, correcting the excesses of post-Cold War globalization and addressing new technological challenges. Others warn it paves the way for an authoritarian, neo-imperialist world order, with the U.S. interfering more openly in the domestic politics of allies and competitors alike.

Congress’s response—especially the defense bill reinforcing European security—highlights the deepening divide within Washington over America’s global role. While the administration seeks to redefine alliances and assert unilateral power, lawmakers are doubling down on traditional partnerships and collective defense.

The document is closely read by allies and adversaries alike, providing marching orders to national security bureaucracies and signaling the administration’s priorities. Whether the NSS truly reflects Trump’s thinking or translates into concrete policy remains to be seen, but its publication marks a significant moment in the evolution of U.S. foreign policy.

Assessment: Trump’s National Security Strategy is a blueprint for a more assertive, insular America—one that champions military and economic supremacy while challenging old alliances and norms. It recognizes genuine grievances from globalization and technological disruption but risks undermining the liberal order that has defined the past 80 years. The strategy’s divisive rhetoric and support for far-right movements have already strained transatlantic relations, and its selective approach to democracy promotion could embolden autocracies. As Congress pushes back, the battle over America’s global future is far from settled—and the world is watching.