Trump National Security Strategy Sees U.S. Confronting China and Russia
But the strategy outlined in the document suggests a return to his campaign promises, and states explicitly
that "the United States will no longer turn a blind eye to violations, cheating or economic aggression." Another section refers to preserving the "national security innovation base," at a moment the administration is considering steps to keep China from investing in promising American technology.
18, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s first national security strategy envisions a world in which the United States confronts two "revisionist" powers — China and Russia —
that are seeking to change the global status quo, often to the detriment of America’s interests.
"For the most part, this premise turned out to be false." While President Obama’s two national security strategies emphasized cooperation with allies and economic partners, Mr. Trump’s attempts to walk the line between his campaign slogan of "America First" and an insistence
that he is not rejecting working with American partners — as long as they do so on terms advantageous to the United States.
Mr. Bush used the phrase "strategic competitor" in reference to China when he ran for the White House in 2000, drawing a contrast with Bill Clinton, who liked to refer to China as a "strategic
partner." The Trump administration’s language suggests the United States will push back robustly on China’s state-driven economic practices and expansionist claims in the South China Sea.
Administration officials, previewing the document, also noted it refers to China as a "strategic competitor."
That is a radical shift from the language that the Obama administration used toward Beijing, which Mr. Obama viewed as a partner in confronting global threats, from Iran’s nuclear program to climate change.
While the document’s description of pushing back against China on trade is familiar from the campaign, its description of the challenge posed by Russia seems at odds with Mr. Trump’s own refusal to criticize President Vladimir V. Putin for his seizure of Crimea, efforts to destabilize Ukraine
and his violations of a key nuclear treaty with the United States.
