President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory provides him with a rare mandate to overhaul U.S. foreign policy through an America First grand strategy. This vision aims to replace the outdated globalist framework that has defined U.S. policy since World War II.
Central to this new strategy is a focus on prioritizing the containment of China, which is emerging as a serious rival to U.S. global leadership. The strategy also includes securing the U.S. border, promoting economic nationalism, and making China the primary focus of U.S. foreign policy in the context of a new Cold War.
For the past three decades, the U.S. has been the world’s undisputed superpower, enjoying strategic and economic advantages that stemmed from its dominance. However, China’s growing influence and ambitions now pose a direct challenge to America’s unique status.
While conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s actions in Ukraine are important, the most pressing concern for U.S. grand strategy in the coming years should be China’s pursuit of regional dominance and global superpower status. Addressing this threat is crucial to maintaining the U.S. position at the top of the international system.
Although both major political parties expressed concerns about China, their rhetoric is insufficient without a comprehensive strategy to counter the threat. Trump’s America First strategy diverges from traditional internationalist policies by making great power competition, especially with China, the central focus.
This shift acknowledges that the U.S. can no longer sustain the expansive, costly policies of the post-Cold War era. In today’s multipolar world, U.S. foreign policy must focus squarely on China as the primary challenge to its global standing, requiring a reassessment of resources and priorities.
Trump’s America First Strategy Shifts U.S. Focus to Containing China and Reassessing Global Priorities
The U.S. national debt, now exceeding $30 trillion, places significant constraints on military and foreign policy budgets. The era of preparing for multiple simultaneous wars or extended counterinsurgency operations is over.
The Pentagon must refocus its strategy to counter China’s efforts to achieve regional hegemony, particularly through preventing Chinese control of Taiwan or territorial expansion in the South China Sea. Modernizing the U.S. Navy, prioritizing investments in cyber, space, and artificial intelligence capabilities, and updating the U.S. nuclear deterrent are necessary steps to counter both China and Russia’s military advancements.
In terms of foreign policy and diplomacy, the U.S. must reorient its alliances and efforts to curb China’s expanding influence, especially in the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. The Cold War saw U.S. alliances primarily focused on NATO and Europe, but the current strategic environment demands a shift.
Strengthening partnerships in the Asia Pacific and Latin America should take precedence, with the U.S. working to prevent China from expanding its strategic reach in these regions while also solidifying its position in the Western Hemisphere.
Economic competition with China is just as critical as military and diplomatic efforts. China’s use of economic diplomacy, including leveraging investments and integrating into global supply chains, has allowed it to increase its geopolitical power. The U.S. must implement a comprehensive industrial policy aimed at reducing dependence on China.
This includes promoting domestic manufacturing, shifting critical industries to allied countries, and boosting energy independence. Additionally, the U.S. must pursue a balanced energy policy that promotes fossil fuel production while investing in alternative energy sources, addressing China’s dominance in the global energy market, particularly in rare earth minerals vital for technology and energy transitions.
The biggest risk to the America First strategy is its implementation. Despite broad public support for a shift in grand strategy, significant resistance may come from entrenched interests within the U.S. foreign policy establishment.
The new administration will face challenges from those who oppose Trump’s realist approach. It is crucial for the Trump administration to overcome this opposition and fulfill its promises to reshape U.S. foreign policy. With a clear mandate for change, the administration must act decisively to adjust America’s grand strategy in response to China’s growing influence and the shifting global order.
