Trump criticizes European allies and emphasizes US influence in Western Hemisphere

WASHINGTON The Trump administration unveiled a new national security strategy that casts European allies as fragile and emphasizes reasserting U.S. influence throughout the Western Hemisphere. Released on Friday, the White House document delivers harsh assessments of European policies on migration and free speech, warning of a potential civilizational decline and questioning their long-term reliability as American partners.

The strategy underscores Trumps America First approach, favoring minimal foreign intervention, reevaluating longstanding alliances, and placing U.S. interests at the forefront. The document states that the strategy is driven primarily by what benefits America in two words, 'America First.' This is the first official national security strategy released under Trump since his return to office in January, marking a clear departure from the previous Biden administration, which focused on strengthening alliances and countering Russian aggression.

While the U.S. aims to mediate an end to Russias nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine, the strategy emphasizes improving ties with Russia and regards ending the war as central to restoring strategic stability with Moscow.

The document also criticizes European allies, highlighting their disagreements with U.S. policies toward the Russia-Ukraine war, economic difficulties, and challenges to national identity. According to the strategy, Europe faces a real and more stark prospect of civilizational decline due to immigration policies, declining birth rates, censorship, suppression of political opposition, and weakening national confidence.

If current trends continue, parts of Europe may be unrecognizable within 20 years, and it is uncertain whether these nations will maintain strong economies and militaries to be dependable allies, the document notes. It calls on Europe to reclaim its civilizational confidence while preserving its distinct identity.

Despite prioritizing America First, the administration has conducted military actions against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and is considering measures in Venezuela to pressure President Nicols Maduro. These initiatives are framed as a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, recalling the 1823 policy aimed at deterring European interference in the Americas and historically justifying U.S. interventions in Latin America.

The strategy also outlines a reassessment of the U.S. military presence in the region, including targeted deployments to secure the border and combat cartels, potentially using lethal force to replace previous law enforcement-focused approaches.

Author: Ava Mitchell