Trump’s security strategy criticises European allies and asserts U.S. dominance in the Americas
President Donald Trump’s administration has unveiled a new national security strategy that sharply rebukes long standing European allies while positioning the United States as the dominant force in the Western Hemisphere. The document, released Friday, marks a significant shift in tone and priorities, and is already expected to strain relations with key partners across Europe.
In one of its most striking sections, the strategy accuses European nations of adopting migration and free speech policies that have left them weakened and vulnerable. It warns that some allies face what it calls the “prospect of civilizational erasure” language far more pointed than typically used in diplomatic assessments. The document raises doubts about whether these countries can continue to serve as reliable partners for the U.S. in the long term.
The critique comes at a moment of heightened transatlantic tension. Trump has repeatedly clashed with European leaders over defence spending, trade, and the war in Ukraine. This latest strategy document formalises many of those grievances and signals a shift toward a more sceptical view of traditional alliances. Analysts say the rhetoric may deepen divides just as Europe confronts internal political pressures and rising far right movements.
While criticising democratic allies abroad, the administration is simultaneously pursuing an assertive, interventionist stance closer to home. The strategy emphasises Washington’s intention to “reassert American power in the Americas,” reflecting ongoing pressure campaigns in South America, including boat strikes aimed at disrupting drug trafficking and transnational criminal networks. Critics warn that the approach could inflame tensions with regional governments and raise humanitarian concerns.
The document also signals a recalibration of U.S. policy in the Middle East. Unlike previous administrations, which invested heavily in trying to reshape political systems across the region, the new strategy discourages efforts to push political change or influence domestic governance in Middle Eastern nations. Officials argue that past interventions have failed to achieve long lasting stability and that the U.S. must instead prioritise its strategic interests more narrowly.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who sat beside Trump during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, are seen as key architects of the framework. Both have advocated for a foreign policy that combines toughness toward rivals with a more selective engagement with allies.
Supporters of the strategy say it reflects geopolitical realities and places American interests first. They argue that Europe’s internal challenges make it a less dependable partner and that Washington must secure influence in its own hemisphere to counter threats from China and other global actors.
Critics, however, warn that alienating democratic allies could leave the U.S. more isolated and weaken its ability to build coalitions on global issues. They note that Europe has been a crucial supporter on sanctions, intelligence sharing and diplomacy, and that the new tone could be counterproductive at a moment when cooperation is urgently needed.
With this strategy, the administration has made clear it intends to redefine U.S. global engagement — more sceptical of European partners, more assertive in the Americas and more restrained in the Middle East. Whether this reorientation strengthens U.S. security or further disrupts international alliances remains a contentious question.
