Trump to lay out 'America First' security strategy
The 45th president will deliver an address later Monday launching the text
WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Donald Trump will roll out his first "National Security Strategy" Monday, a combative document designed to put meat on the bones of his "America First" sloganeering.
The 45th president will deliver an address later Monday launching the text, which officials say will declare China an economic and ideological "competitor," bent on rolling back US influence.
It is a "clear-eyed view of the threats that we face" said an administration official, laying out an economic-focused text that will be pored over in capitals the world over.
The document "affirms the belief that America s economic security is national security," a senior administration official said.
"The greatest weapon we have is our strong GDP," the official said, citing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
Since his swearing-in last January, Trump has taken an aggressive stance on trade.
He has vowed to reduce bilateral trade deficits, particularly with China, and has said he wants to level the playing field for American companies.
Asked on Monday about the expected US strategy, Beijing s foreign ministry Hua Chunying said US-China economic and trade relations "are mutually beneficial."
- Guidepost or diversion? -
The document -- which has been eleven months in the making -- is required by law and is designed to form a framework for how America approaches the world.
Previous national security strategies have been released without much fanfare and served as guideposts, rather than doctrinal commandments. But in this topsy-turvy administration, the document has taken on extra significance.
Allies will hope the document provides some clarity about the intentions of the world s preeminent economic and military power.
The text identifies four main priorities: protecting the country and the American people, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence.
Foreign officials in Washington often complain that there are effectively "two administrations" -- one that they hear from day-to-day in contacts with the State Department and Pentagon and another coming from Trump, often via Twitter in 280 characters or fewer.
Trump and his advisors often publicly differ starkly on fundamental security issues from the Middle East to talks with North Korea.
But there is little evidence that Trump, who has bucked norms repeatedly in his meteoric rise to power, will stick to the script.
His comments about Russia will be especially closely watched. So far he has played down concerns from the Pentagon, State Department and CIA about Vladimir Putin s meddling in the 2016 election.
Four Trump campaign aides have faced criminal charges as a result of an investigation into possible collusion between Trump Tower and Moscow.
- Legacy of ashes -
Since coming to office, Trump has work to dismantle the legacy of his predecessor Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, sometimes leaving Washington isolated on the world stage.
The United Nation s Security Council is expected to vote Monday on a resolution that would reject Trump s controversial recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Diplomats said they expected the United States to use its veto power to block the measure but that most, if not all, of the 14 other members are expected to back the draft resolution.
Trump s National Security Strategy is also expected to break with allies on the role of climate change.
Ascending to power on a message resolutely skeptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries.
A year before he left office, Obama said climate change would affect the way America s military must defend the country, through profound adjustments in organization, training and protection of infrastructure.
This time round it "is not identified as a national security threat" to the US, the administration official said.
