National Security Strategy of the United States
Donald J. Trump
White House Policy Document
November 2024 Released December 4, 2025
Summary
The Trump administration's National Security Strategy, drafted in November 2024 and released December 4, 2025, outlines a 33-page foreign policy framework organized around three pillars: "Make America Safe," "Make America Strong," and "Make America Prosperous."
The document marks a fundamental reorientation of U.S. strategic priorities, identifying China as the primary threat while signaling warmer relations with Russia and sharp criticism of European allies.
The strategy declares China the "most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security" and commits to maintaining military superiority in the Indo-Pacific. It describes China's Belt and Road Initiative as "debt-trap diplomacy" and pledges to counter Chinese influence globally.
On Russia, the document adopts a notably conciliatory tone, emphasizing potential cooperation on counterterrorism and regional stability. It describes opportunities for "constructive dialogue" and suggests that previous tensions stemmed from "misunderstandings that can be resolved through direct negotiation."
The strategy sharply criticizes European allies, particularly the European Union, which it characterizes as promoting "civilisational erasure" through immigration policies and supranational governance. The document states that "supranational and multilateral institutions" that "undermine political liberty and sovereignty" must be resisted. It calls for relations with "patriotic national governments" rather than EU institutions, signaling preference for bilateral relationships with individual European nations over collective engagement.
On the Middle East, the strategy declares that "the days in which the Middle East dominated American foreign policy are thankfully over," characterizing the region as "emerging as a place of partnership, friendship, and investment." It describes Gaza as transitioning toward "durable peace" under international oversight through a UN Security Council-endorsed "Board of Peace" that will govern reconstruction efforts.
For Latin America, the document invokes a renewed Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. primacy in the Western Hemisphere and warning against "external interference" from China, Russia, or other powers. It pledges to secure borders, combat transnational criminal organizations, and promote "market-oriented democratic governance" while opposing what it characterizes as "authoritarian socialism" in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
Africa receives minimal attention—just half a page in the 33-page document. The U.S. pledges to "avoid any long-term American presence or commitments" while transitioning "from an aid-focused relationship" to one "favoring partnerships with capable, reliable states committed to opening their markets to U.S. goods and services." The immediate focus is on "energy sector and critical mineral development" rather than traditional development assistance or humanitarian programs.
On international institutions, the strategy signals withdrawal from or defunding of UN agencies deemed contrary to American interests, including WHO and UNRWA. A February 2025 executive order mandates comprehensive review of "all international intergovernmental organizations...and all conventions and treaties" to determine which are "contrary to the interests of the United States."
The document makes no mention of Sudan's humanitarian crisis, Myanmar's civil conflict, the Rohingya genocide, or other major humanitarian emergencies. Climate change receives minimal attention beyond criticism of the Paris Agreement and other international climate frameworks as economically harmful to American industry.
Quotes
"The days in which the Middle East dominated American foreign policy are thankfully over." — National Security Strategy
"Supranational and multilateral institutions" that "undermine political liberty and sovereignty" must be resisted. — National Security Strategy
"Avoid any long-term American presence or commitments" in Africa while transitioning "from an aid-focused relationship" to one "favoring partnerships with capable, reliable states committed to opening their markets to U.S. goods and services." — National Security Strategy, Africa section
"The most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security." — National Security Strategy, describing China
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