The new National Security Strategy signed by Donald Trump and released by the White House profoundly reshapes America's worldview. In 33 pages under the banner of "America First," Washington reorients its strategic priorities, shifts its focus toward the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific, downplays Europe's weight, and paints a bleak picture of its future: if current trends continue, the document reads, the Old Continent risks becoming "unrecognizable in twenty years or less" and seeing its civilization "erased."

A paradigm shift: goodbye to America as the world's "policeman."

At the heart of the text is a break with the idea of ​​America as the guarantor of global order on all fronts. The strategy argues that, after the Cold War, the United States pursued a sort of "permanent world domination," assuming political, economic, and military costs that American society is no longer willing to bear. Hence the choice to concentrate resources on vital interests: border security, control of the Western Hemisphere, competition with China and Russia, and defense of technological supremacy.

In this context, Europe ceases to be the primary theater of American power projection. Washington does not declare its "abandonment" of the continent, but it makes clear that it no longer intends to address its security alone, nor automatically accept the positions of European institutions on war, migration, and economic governance.

Europe in decline and the risk of "erasing civilization"

The most scathing passages of the document are dedicated to Europe itself. The White House describes a continent in demographic, economic, and cultural decline. The decline in Europe's share of global GDP—from 25% in 1990 to approximately 14% today—is presented not only as an economic problem, but as a symptom of a deeper crisis. According to the document, national and supranational regulations are stifling creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, while the combination of declining birth rates and mass immigration is "transforming the continent" in potentially irreversible ways.

It is here that the strategy introduces its most controversial formulation: the "economic decline," while alarming, would be "overshadowed by the even more serious prospect of the obliteration of civilization." In other words, for the Trump administration, it's not just growth that's at stake, but the very preservation of Europe's historical and cultural identity. The document even questions whether, in twenty years, some European countries will still have economies and militaries strong enough to be reliable allies of the United States.

The accusation against the European Union, migration and political censorship

It's not just economic performance that's in the crosshairs. Washington identifies a series of "internal factors" that threaten the political freedom and sovereignty of the Old Continent. Among these, the strategy cites:

-the growing influence of the European Union and other transnational bodies, accused of eroding the sovereignty of nation states.

-migration policies, indicated as the cause of social tensions, conflicts and accelerated identity transformations.

-the “censorship of free speech” and the “suppression of political opposition,” with the idea that some European governments are using regulatory and media tools to marginalize dissent.

-the collapse of birth rates and the loss of “national identity and confidence”.

The picture is of a Europe increasingly regulated from above, with political elites that—according to the document—have "subverted democratic processes" and no longer represent the sentiments of a population largely desirous of peace and stability. Hence the warning: either the continent "changes trajectory" or risks seeing its civilization dissolve within a few decades.

Mass Migration and Border Security: "The Era Must End"

The new strategy places the immigration issue at the very heart of American national security. "The era of mass migration must end," the document states bluntly. The border is defined as "the primary element of national security": protecting the US territory from "invasions," uncontrolled migration, and cross-border threats—terrorism, drugs, human trafficking, espionage—is elevated to a top priority.

According to the White House, in many countries around the world, mass migration has severely strained internal resources, social cohesion, labor markets, and security. Regulating flows, strengthening controls, and preventing illegal migration therefore becomes, in Trump's vision, an essential task for sovereign states. For the United States, this principle translates into a specific request for its partners as well: collaboration, aid, and even alliances will increasingly be conditioned by other countries' ability to contain destabilizing flows and counter criminal networks.

NATO under scrutiny: end of enlargement and more burdens for Europe

Another explosive passage concerns NATO. The strategy declares the goal of "ending the perception—and preventing the reality—of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance." This formula resonates with Moscow's historical demands and calls into question the Alliance's long-standing "open door" principle.

The White House doesn't deny NATO's importance, but it demands a redefinition of its roles. Europe is urged to "stand on its own two feet," assume primary responsibility for its own defense, and increase military spending and operational capabilities, rather than relying on automatic American protection.

The document even speculates that, within a few decades, some members of the Alliance could become "majority non-European," with unpredictable consequences for their perception of their role in the world and their ties with the United States. This is an implicit reference to the continent's demographic and migratory dynamics, which the strategy directly links to the West's political and military cohesion.

Ukraine, "quick" peace and new stability with Moscow

Regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the strategy defines achieving a "rapid" cessation of hostilities as a "fundamental interest" for the United States, with three objectives: stabilizing European economies, avoiding an escalation or widening of the war, and rebuilding Ukraine as a "viable" but sustainable state in the long term.

In doing so, however, the document is highly critical of European governments. They are accused of cultivating "unrealistic expectations" about the conflict, of being entrenched in unstable minority governments, and of "trampling on basic principles of democracy" by repressing opposition. The consequence, according to Washington, is that the majority's desire for peace is not being translated into concrete policies.

At the same time, the White House reiterates the need to "restore strategic stability with Russia," a phrase that implies a desire to rebuild, even after the invasion of Ukraine, a framework of predictability and risk management at the Eurasian level. The document also emphasizes the indirect effect of the war on European dependencies: the energy crisis, for example, has pushed the German chemical industry to move production capacity to China, using Russian gas no longer available at home. This symbolizes a continent that, in the eyes of the United States, is exposing itself to new external vulnerabilities while struggling to make coherent strategic decisions.

The "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine: the center of gravity returns to the Americas

While Europe is being called upon to "correct its trajectory," the true heart of the strategy is the Western Hemisphere. The White House explicitly speaks of a "Trump Corollary" to the historic Monroe Doctrine. The original 19th-century idea—no European interference in the Americas, in exchange for US non-interference in European affairs—is reinterpreted in a contemporary key: the United States reaffirms its right and duty to be the preeminent power in the Americas, preventing external powers from having a military presence and controlling strategic assets.

The document summarizes the objectives with two verbs: "enlist" and "expand." Enlisting means involving established allies in the hemisphere in migration control, combating drug cartels, and maritime security. Expanding means broadening the network of partners and making America's offerings—in terms of investments, security, and infrastructure—more attractive than those of competitors like China and Russia.

In this context, the fight against cartels and transnational crime is elevated to the rank of a strategic issue: no longer just police and judicial cooperation, but also – if necessary – the use of military force to protect borders, routes, and critical infrastructure.

Indo-Pacific and China: The Battlefield of the Century

The other major regional priority is the Indo-Pacific, defined as "one of the major economic and geopolitical battlefields of the coming century." The strategy recognizes that the center of gravity of global growth has shifted eastward and that, to "thrive at home," the United States must compete decisively in the region.

 The document champions the shift initiated by Trump, from trade tariffs to tightening supply chains, and focuses on two pillars: economic rebalancing based on reciprocity and robust military deterrence to prevent war, particularly in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

From this perspective, alliances such as the Quad (USA, Japan, India, Australia) take on a central role, as does the strengthening of the US military presence in the Pacific and the push for allies to increase their defensive capabilities.

A Europe that is still vital, but needs to be "corrected"

Despite its harsh tone, the strategy does not declare Europe irrelevant. On the contrary, it recognizes that the continent remains "strategically and culturally vital" for the United States. Transatlantic trade is defined as one of the pillars of the global economy, many European industrial sectors are cited as among the strongest in the world, and the continent's scientific and cultural institutions are cited as world-class assets. "We cannot afford to abandon Europe," the document warns, adding that doing so would also be counterproductive to the America First objectives.

The difference is that Washington wants a different Europe: less dependent on supranational bureaucracies, more attentive to fundamental freedoms, capable of defending its borders and regaining confidence in its own civilization. The strategy openly expresses sympathy for the "growing influence of European patriotic parties," seen as potential vectors for a "rebirth of the national spirit."

The stated goal is "to help Europe correct its trajectory." For the United States, a strong, sovereign, and more internally cohesive Europe is necessary not only to contain the ambitions of potential adversaries on the continent, but also to more equitably share burdens and responsibilities in an international order increasingly less controlled by a single actor.

A warning and a choice

Overall, the new National Security Strategy marks a departure from the traditional transatlantic narrative. A dual message is addressed to Europe: on the one hand, the recognition of a historical, cultural, and commercial bond that remains fundamental; on the other, a stern, almost definitive warning about the need to change course on migration, sovereignty, political freedoms, and defense.

In any case, one thing is clear: in Trump's vision, Europe is no longer the center of American strategy, but an important ally finally called upon to stand on its own two feet.