Trump's National Security Strategy: Tough Love to Save Europe

The mainstream media was quick to amplify harsh condemnations by European leaders and elites about President Trump's new national security strategy, even though the Europe section of the plan is titled "Promoting European Greatness" and stresses America's sentimental attachment to Europe.

Former French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud said the strategy "largely confirms" perceptions that Trump is an "enemy of Europe," adding, "the stunning section devoted to Europe reads like a far-right pamphlet."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected the strategy, saying Germany will not take advice on democracy and freedom from the Trump administration.

Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said the strategy was "language that one otherwise only finds coming out of some bizarre minds of the Kremlin."

However, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas broke with European elites on the National Security Strategy when she said, "of course, there's a lot of criticism, but I think some of it is also true.

Additionally, she noted, "Europe has been underestimating its own power.

Towards Russia, for example . . . we should be more self-confident."

The intense criticism by European elites of the Europe section of the National Security Strategy stemmed from it saying many things they strongly disagreed with and would prefer their people not hear.

The principal point of the Europe section was that Europe is in decline due to economic decline and "civilization erasure" caused by out-of-control mass and unvetted migration.

Ill-advised European Union policies are undermining sovereignty, political liberty, cratering birthrates, costing national identities and self-confidence, according to the strategy.

As a result, the strategy predicts that Europe may be unrecognizable in 20 years or less and no longer have the economies and militaries to remain reliable U.S. allies – or remain members of the NATO alliance.

Trump's National Security Strategy urges Europe to reverse this decline and says America will help Europe correct this trajectory.

The strategy says quickly ending the war in Ukraine is a core interest of the United States to stabilize European economies, prevent escalation of the war, and enable post-war reconstruction of Ukraine to enable its survival as a viable state.

But most importantly, the strategy calls for reestablishing strategic stability with Russia. Related to this goal, it calls for ending NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance.

The strategy notes that Europe's response to the war in Ukraine has been confused and inconsistent. This includes unrealistic expectations for the war and resistance by European governments to peace efforts.

The strategy also notes hypocrisy by Europe on isolating Russia over the war, including by stating that German chemical companies are building large plants in China to use Russian natural gas that they cannot obtain at home.

The National Security Strategy calls for a strong and confident Europe that takes primary responsibility for its own defense.

It calls for free trade, ending hostile trade practices, and opening European markets to U.S. goods and services and ensuring fair treatment of U.S. workers and businesses.

The strategy clearly shows President Trump and his administration care about and want the best for Europe, despite ludicrous claims by the European elite that it proves President Trump views Europe as an "enemy."

For example, the strategy says:

"America is, understandably, sentimentally attached to the European continent — and, of course, to Britain and Ireland.

"The character of these countries is also strategically important because we count upon creative, capable, confident, democratic allies to establish conditions of stability and security. We want to work with aligned countries that want to restore their former greatness."

The truth is, President Trump's new National Security strategy is not just tough love to save Europe, but a searing indictment of the failed policies of the European liberal elite that caused its decline.

This is why EU foreign policy chief Kallas admitted that she believes some of the criticism in the strategy is true and that Europe’s lack of self-confidence has undermined its approach to Russia.

Let's hope the people of Europe read the new National Security Strategy and listen to European officials like Kallas to bring about the sweeping political change needed to save European civilization, freedom, and security.

Fred Fleitz is Vice Chair of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security. He previously served as National Security Council chief of staff, CIA analyst, and a House Intelligence Committee staff member — Read Fred Fleitz's reports — Click Here Now.