The Pentagon released a new National Defense Strategy on Friday that calls for U.S. allies to take greater responsibility for their own security. The 34-page document, the first of its kind since 2022, outlined a shift in priorities under the Trump administration, emphasizing American interests and dominance in the Western Hemisphere over the long-standing goal of countering China's global influence.

The strategy criticized allies in Europe and Asia, asserting they had become overly reliant on the U.S. to subsidize their defense. It advocated for a "sharp shift in approach, focus, and tone," signaling a more direct expectation that allies would shoulder a larger portion of the burden in addressing threats posed by nations such as Russia and North Korea.

"For too long, the U.S. Government neglected even rejected putting Americans and their concrete interests first," the document stated in its opening sentence.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the strategy at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, emphasizing the administration's commitment to prioritizing American security and economic interests. He stated that while the U.S. would continue to work with its allies, it expected them to invest more in their own defense capabilities.

The strategy's release follows President Trump's recent criticisms of NATO allies at the G-7 summit, where he pressed for increased defense spending. These criticisms have prompted some allies to seek a more balanced outcome at the upcoming NATO summit.

The document's emphasis on the Western Hemisphere reflects the Trump administration's focus on regional security concerns, including border security and combating transnational criminal organizations. Some analysts interpret this as a potential scaling back of U.S. involvement in other regions of the world, while others view it as a recalibration of priorities to better align with American interests.

The new defense strategy is expected to be a key topic of discussion at upcoming international security forums, where U.S. officials will likely face questions about the implications of the policy shift for existing alliances and security commitments. The strategy's implementation will be closely monitored by both allies and adversaries as the U.S. navigates a changing global security landscape.