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Trump: America is going to win

President’s doctrine: Economic security is national security

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared a new national security strategy on Monday, echoing the message of his 2016 campaign as he declared “America is in the game and America is going to win.”

In a speech at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Trump faulted previous U.S. leaders for failing to look out for the nation’s citizens. He promised to seek openings to cooperate with rivals, but added that “we will stand up for ourselves, and we will stand up for our country like we have never stood up before.”

Trump’s strategy envisions nations in constant competition, brushes aside Obama-era warnings on climate change and affirms that the United States will unilaterally defend its sovereignty, even if that means risking existing agreements with other countries that have been a crucial part of the United States’ foreign policy since the Cold War.

Revisiting many of his campaign themes, the president argued that he has already seen improvements since taking office, pointing to the economy’s strong performance, his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership on trade and his intent to exit the Paris climate accord.

“America is coming back and coming back strong,” he said.

The strategy from the Republican president could sharply alter U.S. international relationships if fully implemented. It focuses on four main themes: protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, demonstrating peace through strength and advancing American influence in an ever-competitive world.

Trump’s doctrine holds that nation-states are in perpetual competition and that the U.S. must fight on all fronts to protect and defend its sovereignty from friend and foe alike. While the administration often says that “America First” does not mean “America Alone,” the national security strategy makes clear that the United States will stand up for itself even at the cost of alienating allies.

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