Trump says ‘America First’ in security strategy
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump has used the launch of his first National Security Strategy to highlight his “America First” policy, although the document lauded the benefits of cooperation with Russia.
Unveiling a text that pilloried both Russia and China as “revisionist powers” bent on rolling back American interests, Trump hailed recent counterterror cooperation between Moscow and Washington.Trump claimed that a recent CIA tip-off about a terror attack on a cathedral in Vladimir Putin’s home town of Saint Petersburg had prevented deaths “in the thousands.”
“They were able to apprehend these terrorists before the event with no loss of life and that’s a great thing, and the way it’s supposed to work,” Trump said, offering the prospect of better ties.
His conciliatory tone toward Putin came in sharp contrast to the 68-page strategy that was put together by key aides and which was designed to serve as a framework for the Trump administration’s approach to the world.The text uses remarkably biting language to frame Beijing and Moscow as global competitors.“China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity,” the document says.It warns that “Russia aims to weaken US influence in the world and divide us from our allies and partners,” while Russian nuclear weapons are deemed “the most significant existential threat to the United States.”
Trump’s presidential campaign is being investigated for possible collusion with Russia in the run-up to his 2016 election win - allegations the 45th president has dubbed “fake news.”The strategy accuses China of seeking “to displace the United States” in Asia, listing a litany of US grievances, from deficits, to data theft to spreading “features of its authoritarian system.”
“Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others,” it says.A Chinese Embassy spokesperson responded sharply, saying “it is completely selfish for a country to claim that its own interests are superior to the interests of other countries and to the shared interests of the international community.”
“This mentality will only lead to isolation,” the spokesperson added.The document - which has been 11 months in the making -- is required by law and is designed to form a framework for how America approaches the world.Previous national security strategies have been released without much fanfare and served as guideposts, rather than doctrinal commandments.
But in this unorthodox administration, the document had taken on extra significance. Foreign officials in Washington often complain that there are effectively “two administrations” -- one that they hear from day-to-day in contacts with the State Department and Pentagon and another coming from Trump, often via Twitter in 280 characters or fewer.Trump and his advisors often publicly differ starkly on fundamental security issues from the Middle East to talks with North Korea.But allies looking for clarity about the intentions of the world’s pre-eminent economic and military power are likely to be confused by Trump’s mixed messages.Where the strategy warns Russia is using “subversive measures” to undermine “transatlantic unity,”
Trump again claimed that European allies were “delinquent” in paying for security “while we guarantee their safety and are willing to fight wars for them.” Where the strategy warned of Moscow’s “destabilizing cyber capabilities” and interference in domestic political affairs, Trump made no such reference.
The Kremlin has lambasted Trump’s strategy as “imperial” but lauded the U.S. for willing to cooperate with Russia in areas of common interest.Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters on Dec. 19 that the mentions of Russia struck Moscow as “imperial” and showed “an aversion to a multi-polar world.”
Peskov, however, said Moscow was encouraged by calls to cooperate with Russia in areas that could be beneficial for the U.S.Putin and Trump talked on the phone twice last week.China also decried the document, which described Beijing as a challenge to American power, as a “Cold War mentality” that will only harm Washington.
“Any country, or any report, which distorts the facts, or maliciously slanders will only do so in vain,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing.The two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues, with Washington taking unprecedented steps to investigate and add tariffs to Chinese-made goods.
