Trump's National Defense Strategy declares 'sharp shift,' tells allies to take care of their own security | Fortune

"The 34-page document, the first since 2022, was highly political for a military blueprint, criticizing partners from Europe to Asia for relying on previous U.S. administrations to subsidize their defense. It called for "a sharp shift - in approach, focus, and tone." That translated to a blunt assessment that allies would take on more of the burden countering nations from Russia to North Korea."

""For too long, the U.S. Government neglected - even rejected - putting Americans and their concrete interests first," read the opening sentence. It capped off a week of animosity between President Donald Trump's administration and traditional allies like Europe, with Trump threatening to impose tariffs on some European partners to press a bid to acquire Greenland before announcing a deal that lowered the temperature."

"As allies confront what some see as a hostile attitude from the U.S., they will almost certainly be unhappy to see that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's department will provide "credible options to guarantee U.S. military and commercial access to key terrain," especially Greenland and the Panama Canal. Following a tiff this week at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the strategy at once urges cooperation with Canada and other neighbors while still issuing a stark warning."

Pentagon's new National Defense Strategy redirects priorities toward dominance in the Western Hemisphere and away from a longstanding emphasis on countering China. The 34-page plan criticizes allies in Europe and Asia for relying on previous U.S. administrations to subsidize their defense and calls for a sharp shift in approach, focus, and tone. Allies are expected to shoulder greater burdens countering Russia, North Korea, and other threats. The strategy affirms readiness to provide credible options to guarantee U.S. military and commercial access to key terrain, including Greenland and the Panama Canal. It pledges engagement with neighbors while warning that focused, decisive action will follow when partners do not defend shared interests.

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