Trump’s New National Security Strategy Prioritizes a Larger U.S. Military Role Across the Americas

Overview

The White House quietly released a 33-page National Security Strategy that calls for a sustained and expanded U.S. military presence in the Western Hemisphere to confront migration, drug trafficking and growing influence from foreign rivals in the region. The document reframes the hemisphere as an extension of homeland security and emphasizes border control, regional partnerships and economic leverage.

Western Hemisphere Focus

The strategy declares that "border security is the primary element of national security" and proposes what it terms a modern "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine — a posture aimed at limiting adversarial influence in the Americas. It calls for stronger Coast Guard and Navy deployments to control sea lanes, reduce human and drug trafficking, deter unwanted migration, and secure key transit routes during crises.

"The United States must be preeminent in the Western Hemisphere as a condition of our security and prosperity," the document states, arguing that U.S. aid and alliances should be contingent on reducing outside adversarial influence over ports, infrastructure and strategic assets.

China, Trade and Strategic Economic Ties

The strategy addresses China repeatedly, often without naming Beijing directly. It pledges to "rebalance America’s economic relationship with China, prioritizing reciprocity and fairness to restore American economic independence," while also endorsing trade focused on non-sensitive sectors and seeking mutually advantageous ties where feasible. Work on the strategy was reportedly delayed amid internal debate about language on China, with a Treasury official, Scott Bessent, among those urging softer phrasing to protect ongoing trade negotiations.

Indo-Pacific, Taiwan and Russia

Officials say the administration intends to prevent a military conflagration in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirms longstanding U.S. policy on Taiwan: the United States does not support any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The strategy calls for an "expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine" and measures to reduce the risk of Russian confrontation in Europe, though it stops short of broad public condemnations of Moscow.

Europe, Identity and Values

The document offers pointed critiques of some European governments, particularly over efforts to limit far-right parties, which it frames as political censorship. It warns that long-term migration trends could alter European identities and potentially affect alliance dynamics with NATO. At the same time, the strategy recognizes Europe’s economic and strategic importance and urges efforts to help Europe "correct its current trajectory."

Cultural Language and Domestic Priorities

The strategy includes language that appeals to conservative cultural priorities, calling for the "restoration and reinvigoration of American spiritual and cultural health," and praising "strong, traditional families that raise healthy children." It also highlights industrial resilience and encourages public-private partnerships to promote U.S. strategic acquisitions and investment opportunities, particularly in Latin America for resources like rare earth minerals.

Tone and Implementation

While the paper is presented as a roadmap to keep America "the greatest and most successful nation in human history," it acknowledges that presidential priorities can shift with events and presidential temperament. The strategy praises the president’s unconventional diplomacy and labels him the "President of Peace," even as it endorses measures intended to prevent the rise of dominant adversaries.

What Comes Next

This National Security Strategy is the first of several planned defense and foreign-policy documents. A companion National Defense Strategy is expected to follow and likely will reflect many of the same regional priorities. As with past administrations, unforeseen global events could require significant revisions to these plans.