The path to disaster for a supposedly declining Europe, beset by immigration and on the verge of losing its identity as a beacon of Western culture, has become one of the most persistent obsessions of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) ideology during Donald Trump's second presidency. This obsession crystallized with the publication on Thursday night (Washington time) of a controversial document, signed by Trump himself and titled"National Security Strategy of the United States of America."
The 33-page document outlines the new administration's foreign policy priorities and reviews U.S. interests around the world. Regarding Europe, the text notes its"economic problems," but warns that these are "overshadowed by the very real and starker prospect of the demise of its civilization" within "the next 20 years or less." When that happens, the document adds, it will be unclear whether"certain European countries will still have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies" of Washington."Our objective should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory."
The text lists several culprits for this supposed decline: “the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political freedom and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating conflicts, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, falling birth rates and the loss of national identities and confidence [of the different countries] in themselves,” says the United States government.
This is a priorities document traditionally published at the beginning of each new administration. What is unprecedented this time is the aggressiveness of its rhetoric, and not only regarding Europe: the section on Latin America (the “Western Hemisphere,” in Washington jargon) also stands out for its break with the diplomatic status quo and with the recent history of relations with the continent. “After years of neglect, the United States will reaffirm and implement the [interventionist] Monroe Doctrine to restore its preeminence,” promises the strategic document, which speaks of a “Trump Corollary” to that doctrine, to achieve “a sensible and forceful restoration of American power and priorities.”
Back in Europe, the text adopts the arguments of far-right political parties. The MAGA movement, and Trump himself, have championed the objectives of these political groups in elections such as those in Germany and the United Kingdom. Washington's European partners already heard some of these ideas in February, during the Munich Security Conference, where US Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a fiery speech and an apocalyptic vision of the Old Continent.
The text outlines the Trump Administration's priorities with Europe, to which, it says,"the United States logically has sentimental ties." These priorities include opening European markets to American goods and services and "restoring stability" domestically, including in its relationship with Russia, which it describes as one of"lack of trust."
It proposes encouraging the continent to assume “primary responsibility for its own defense”—which can be interpreted as a reference to Washington’s pressure on NATO members to increase their contributions to 5%—or to end the expectation that the Atlantic Alliance is “constantly expanding.” Regarding the war in Ukraine, the document warns that “the Trump administration finds itself at odds with European officials who have unrealistic expectations about the war.”
Far-right parties have their own point on that list, which calls for “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory” from within. Elsewhere, it reads: “The United States encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of the [Western] spirit, and the growing influence of European patriotic formations certainly gives cause for great optimism.”
“This document is a roadmap to ensure that the United States remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history and the home of freedom on Earth,” reads the text signed by Trump in its preamble, which proposes a fierce defense of the “America First” principles. “In the coming years, we will continue to build every dimension of our national strength and make America safer, richer, freer, greater, and more powerful than ever before.”
To achieve these goals, the text sets the following priorities: to end the “era of mass migration” and to guarantee the “protection of fundamental rights and freedoms” (“bestowed by God upon American citizens”), as well as the “sharing of the [geopolitical] burdens,” because “the days when the United States propped up the entire world order like Atlas are over.”
It also advocates achieving “peace through strength,” promoting “economic security” and “balanced trade”—through tariffs—and ensuring “access to supply chains and critical materials.” “As [Founding Father] Alexander Hamilton argued in the early days of our republic,” the document states, “the United States should never depend on any foreign power for its basic needs.”
Regarding the Middle East, the Trump Administration celebrates that “the days when [the region dominated US foreign policy, both in long-term planning and day-to-day execution] are over, not because it no longer matters, but because it is no longer the constant nuisance or potential source of imminent catastrophe it once was.” To Africa, it promises to stop “promoting liberal ideology” and instead focus on an extractive approach to the relationship, based on “fostering mutually beneficial trade relations and transitioning from a paradigm of foreign aid to one of investment and growth capable of harnessing abundant natural resources and latent economic potential.”
