AFP editorial team
Donald Trump’s administration has released its new national security strategy, a highly anticipated document that dramatically changes America’s priorities.
One of the main elements is the so-called “Trump Corollary” of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, according to which Latin America is beyond the reach of foreign powers, be they European or Asian.
Latin America.- The document says Trump is reviving the Monroe Doctrine of the 19th century, when the United States consolidated its hegemony over Europeans in Latin America, which it viewed as its “backyard.” In the so-called “Trump follow-up” to the doctrine, the United States would seek access to resources and strategic locations in Latin America and ensure that the countries are “reasonably stable and well-governed to prevent and suppress mass migration” into their territory.
In a nod to China, the strategy says the United States will “deny competitors from outside the hemisphere the ability to position military forces or other threatening capabilities or to own or control strategically important assets.”
Europe.- The new strategy applies tough language to Europe and supports the idea that the continent is facing the disappearance of its “civilization.” The document supports a view held by far-right groups. He calls for cultivating “resistance” within Europe against the “current development” of the continent. The main problems are the actions of the European Union and “other transnational organizations that undermine political freedom and sovereignty, as well as immigration policies that are transforming the continent,” says the Trump administration.
“If current trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less,” he adds.
He also believes it is “plausible” that “certain NATO members will become largely non-European in a few decades.” From this perspective, “the question remains whether they will view their place in the world or their alliance with the United States in the same way as those who signed the letter” from the transatlantic military alliance.
The document also states that the United States should focus on “ending the perception of NATO as an ever-expanding alliance and preventing its reality.”
Asia.- After decades of the U.S. focusing on China’s rise, the strategy describes the Asian giant as a competitor but focuses primarily on the economy.
“We will rebalance the United States’ economic relationship with China, prioritizing reciprocity and equity, to restore America’s economic independence,” he said.
Regarding Taiwan, an island with a democratic regime that Beijing claims as its own, the document reiterates the United States’ demands to maintain the status quo. But it calls on allies Japan and South Korea to contribute more to ensure Taiwan’s defense.
The document expresses enthusiasm for strengthening ties with India, which has been courted by successive US presidents but has run into tensions with Trump.
The strategy calls on the United States to encourage New Delhi, which is historically non-aligned but has strained relations with China, to “contribute to Indo-Pacific security.”
Middle East and Africa.- The Middle East has long dominated U.S. foreign policy, but the document, like documents from previous administrations, calls for less emphasis.
He claims that increasing energy autonomy means the United States is not as dependent on Persian Gulf oil, pointing to Iran’s softening of attacks by the United States and Israel.
The strategy says relatively little about Israel, a long-time priority for the United States, saying only that it is important to Washington that the country is “safe.”
Regarding Africa, it calls for a transition from a development aid paradigm to an investment paradigm that enables the exploitation of the continent’s natural resources and “latent economic potential”.