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US prioritizes homeland security over China in new defense strategy
The Pentagon's latest National Defense Strategy marks a major pivot, designating the security of the U.S. homeland and Western Hemisphere as its top concern, moving China to a secondary priority.
Shift in priorities
For the first time in years, the four-year strategy no longer lists China as the primary defense challenge. Instead, the document frames U.S.-China relations through a lens of "strength, not confrontation." The 34-page report aligns with President Donald Trump's push for allies to shoulder more of the burden in countering threats from Russia and North Korea.
Allies urged to take greater responsibility
The strategy criticizes partners for relying too heavily on U.S. defense subsidies but denies any move toward isolationism. "This is a focused, strategic approach to the threats our nation faces," the report states, arguing that Washington has long blurred American interests with global concerns.
Europe, in particular, is expected to "take the lead against threats that are less severe for us but more so for them." Russia is characterized as a "persistent but manageable threat" to NATO's eastern flank, despite its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Taiwan and North Korea: Reduced U.S. role
Unlike previous versions, the strategy omits any direct mention of Taiwan, though it asserts the U.S. will prevent any power-including China-from dominating Washington or its allies. Last year's $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan prompted military drills by Beijing around the island.
On North Korea, the Pentagon now describes a "more limited" U.S. deterrence role, stating that South Korea is "capable of taking primary responsibility" for regional security.
Regional focus and global reactions
The document underscores U.S. commitments to securing key infrastructure, including the Panama Canal, the Gulf of Mexico, and Greenland. It frames the Trump administration's approach as a departure from "grandiose strategies" of past administrations, embracing "hardnosed realism" over "utopian idealism."
At this week's World Economic Forum, Trump claimed NATO had provided the U.S. with "nothing" and falsely stated Washington funded "virtually 100%" of the alliance. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney countered that the old world order "is not coming back," urging middle powers like Canada, South Korea, and Australia to unite. French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a drift toward a "world without rules."
Criticism and context
The strategy follows last year's National Security Strategy, which described Europe as facing "civilizational collapse" and downplayed Russia as a direct U.S. threat. Moscow at the time called the document "largely consistent" with its own views. In contrast, the 2018 Pentagon strategy labeled China and Russia as "revisionist powers" and the "central challenge" to U.S. security.
"Middle powers must act together because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu."
Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister
