China and Russia slam Trump's national security strategy, but few think Trump will actually follow it
On Monday, President Trump unveiled a new national security strategy that portrays China and Russia as strategic adversaries using "subversive measures" to "challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity." On Tuesday, Russia called Trump's new strategy "imperial" and indicative of "an aversion to a multi-polar world," while China urged Trump "to stop deliberately distorting China's strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality," so the U.S. doesn't "injure others and damage itself."
But it isn't at all clear Trump will adhere to his national security strategy. As president he has frequently touted his good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jingping and studiously avoided criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he spoke with twice last week. Halfway through Monday's speech on his security plan, Politico notes, Trump said he will work to "build a great partnership" with Moscow and Beijing and cited his intelligence-sharing with Russia, saying, "That's a great thing, and the way it's supposed to work."
"The greatest problem with the document is its frequent disconnects with the policies implemented by Trump's administration" and Trump's "professed opinions," says Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass at Axios, citing several examples. The strategy and Trump's speech about it "were worlds apart," agreed Thomas Wright at the Brookings Institution. "The strategy described the Russian and Chinese challenge in great detail, but Trump barely mentioned them. Instead he made an impassioned plea for partnership with Putin, demanded allies directly reimburse the United States for protection provided, and blamed the country's ills on immigrants and trade deals. ... It was as if he had not read the strategy at all. It was a surreal end to a surreal year."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"If we get praise from people who think that the president is out of touch saying that this is a return to sanity, then we will have failed," said National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published