McMaster, Cohn: US Is 'True Friend to Partners, Worst Foe to Enemies'

Fresh off President Donald Trump's first foreign trip, the U.S. has cemented its stance in the world as a "true friend to our partners, and the worst foe to our enemies," H.R. McMaster and Gary Cohn wrote in a column for The Wall Street Journal.

Trump's national security adviser McMaster and top economic adviser and director of the National Economic Council Cohn stressed that, "America First does not mean America alone."

"We are asking a lot of our allies and partners. But in return, America will once again be a true friend to our partners, and the worst foe to our enemies," the pair wrote in the Journal. "The president's visit showed the power of both competing to advance interests and engaging to develop relationships and foster cooperation."

The pair cited Trump's bringing together countries to do more in the fight against terrorism, his facilitation of $110 billion in defense investment in Saudi Arabia, and his fight on behalf of the U.S. for better trade deals.

Also, Trump's commitment to NATO.

"While reconfirming America's commitment to NATO and Article 5, the president challenged our allies to share equitably the responsibility for our mutual defense," McMaster and Cohn wrote.

The pair concluded by saying the president's trip "represented a strategic shift for the United States. America First signals the restoration of American leadership and our government's traditional role overseas."

"We delivered a clear message to our friends and partners: Where our interests align, we are open to working together to solve problems and explore opportunities," McMaster and Cohn wrote.

"We let adversaries know that we will not only take their measure, deter conflict through strength, and defend our interests and values, but also look for areas of common interest that allow us to work together. In short, those societies that share our interests will find no friend more steadfast than the United States. Those that choose to challenge our interests will encounter the firmest resolve," the pair wrote.

• Trump Declares Nine-Day Trip As a 'Home Run'
• McCain Says Trump's Actions Have Unsettled Allies, Americans