Trump outlines foreign policy plan
President puts emphasis on nuclear weapons
WASHINGTON • President Donald Trump outlined a new Cold War-style approach to U.S. foreign policy Monday by framing Russia and China as competitors and stressing the importance of nuclear weapons.
The president’s first national security strategy chastised previous U.S. administrations for their “complacency” since the Soviet Union’s fall. It said American nuclear weapons were “the foundation of our strategy to preserve peace and stability” and called for new “significant investment.”
The strategy document said Russia and China were trying to “challenge American power, influence and interests” and “erode American security and prosperity.” And it warned against “engagement” with rivals, saying the belief they could be turned into “benign actors and trustworthy partners” had been proved wrong.
Climate change was also dropped as a national security concern.
“With the strategy I’m announcing today, we’re declaring that America is in the game and America is going to win,” Trump said.
Speaking about the strategy, Trump said “for years Washington politicians presided over one disappointment after another.” The president criticized Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as he attacked “disastrous” trade deals and the “shortchanging” of U.S. soldiers.
He pointed to foreign policy wins including victories against jihadists, sanctions on North Korea and more defence spending among NATO allies.
The document outlined four “pillars” of security: Protect the American people; promote American prosperity; preserve peace through strength; and advance American influence.
Trump promised to seek openings to co-operate with rivals, but added “we will stand up for ourselves and we will stand up for our country like we have never stood up before.”
The last national strategy document, prepared by Obama in 2015, declared climate change an “urgent and growing threat to our national security.” The Trump plan removes that determination.
The strategy sets a goal of being an “energy-dominant nation” but does say the U.S. “recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship.”