【By Guan察者网, Ruan Jiaqi】
After US Vice President Vance criticized Europe as the "greatest threat coming from within" at the Munich Security Conference, causing the chairman of the Munich Security Conference to cry, another new US security policy document has dealt a blow to "old Europe".
According to the Financial Times, on Friday local time, the United States released a new national security strategy document. This 33-page strategic document emphasizes the "significant ideological divide" between the US and its traditional allies, portraying the European continent as a region where "economic decline is secondary, and the more serious reality is facing the risk of civilizational collapse."
The so-called "risk of civilizational collapse" is attributed by the document to the dual dilemmas that the European continent is currently facing: one is the high volume of immigration, and the other is the long-term low birth rate.
The document also blames European officials for the obstacles in the US efforts to end the war in Ukraine, accusing European governments of ignoring what they call the "majority of European public" peace demands.
It states that "quickly stopping hostilities is crucial," which will "stabilize the European economy, prevent unintended escalation or spread of the conflict, and rebuild strategic stability with Russia." What worries Europe particularly is that this document criticizes traditional allies but does not criticize Russia.
The document even directly challenges the EU, claiming that the US should "cultivate forces that resist the current development trajectory of Europe"; it also praises the growing political influence of right-wing populist parties in Europe, stating that if these parties gain power in multiple EU countries, it could pose a challenge to the future of the EU.
The document claims, "US foreign policy should continue to defend genuine democracy, freedom of speech, and a firm promotion of the unique national characteristics and history of European countries." It says that the US encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this spirit of revival, and the increasing influence of patriotic parties in Europe undoubtedly brings great optimism for the future."
This comprehensive document also covers the US relationship with Asia and the Middle East. It proposes that the US government will implement a "responsibility transfer" policy aimed at making Europe "independent and operate as a cohesive group of sovereign states."
The document also calls for a "re-adjustment" of US military deployments, directing forces toward "the hemisphere's urgent threat areas," and withdrawing from regions where the importance to US national security has declined over the past few decades or years.
In terms of China, the strategy document mainly defines China as an "economic challenge," stating that the US will "reshape economic relations with China, prioritizing reciprocity and fairness to restore American economic independence."
However, the document also adds that "this must be accompanied by sustained and strong deterrence measures to prevent war in the Indo-Pacific region." The document advocates "strengthening and consolidating the US military presence in the Western Pacific," but also urges Indo-Pacific allies to increase defense spending and upgrade military equipment, emphasizing that the US should not bear the entire responsibility for maintaining regional peace and freedom of navigation alone.
The Financial Times commented that the core tone of this document closely aligns with VP Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference in February this year, highlighting the fundamental shift in US foreign policy during the Trump administration, which places the upgraded "Monroe Doctrine" framework of "American hegemony in the Americas" as the top priority. The article also mentions that "the era of the US acting as Atlas, supporting the entire global order has ended."
On February 14, 2025, in Munich, Germany, Vance delivered a speech at the 61st Munich Security Conference. Visual China
The report mentioned that the document was released at a time when President Trump is again pushing to end the war in Ukraine. This move has triggered concerns in many European capitals, with各方 worried that the US is preparing to force Ukraine to make concessions on several long-standing core red lines.
Recent closed-door NATO meetings have further exposed the rift between the US and the EU in defense cooperation fields.
As Europe is pushing hard for "military-industrial localization" and trying to reduce its dependence on the US, the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau was reported to have publicly criticized the EU, accusing it of "bullying" US defense companies and excluding them from the EU's plan to "re-arm Europe."
"Politico" Europe stated that Landau's "attack" is seen as another tough stance taken by the current US government towards traditional allies. Previously, the US had pressured the EU to accept a trade agreement that was considered "humiliating" to avoid tariffs. Trump repeatedly criticized the EU for treating the US unfairly, while the EU said the US trade demands were equivalent to "extortion."
Against the backdrop of the new US administration's shift in policies toward Europe, seeking defense autonomy has become a common consensus among European countries. After proposing the "Re-arm Europe" plan in March and setting up a loan program worth 150 billion euros (approximately 1.24 trillion yuan) specifically for purchasing products from European domestic manufacturers, the EU recently proposed the "Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030," setting clear targets, delivery deadlines, and progress indicators for the "Re-arm Europe" plan. According to relevant rules, the supply ratio of third-country suppliers in individual weapon systems in the EU is capped at 35%.
However, achieving real defense autonomy faces many challenges. Regarding the "Re-arm Europe" plan, some EU member state leaders expressed dissatisfaction. Italian Prime Minister Meloni stated her concern about the pressure of increased military spending on Italy's public debt. Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán also posted on social media that he agrees with the proposal to strengthen the defense capabilities of European countries, but this should empower member states rather than increase the power of EU officials.
A more practical issue is that Europe heavily relies on US arms, and establishing an independent defense industry in a short period is not simple. Analysts previously told the Financial Times that Europe and the US have "deep roots" in weapons. After World War II, European governments spent large sums to purchase expensive American weapons, thereby securing America's commitment to provide security guarantees for the European continent.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported in March that between 2020 and 2024, 64% of weapons imported by NATO European members came from the US, higher than 52% in the period from 2015 to 2019. Senior researcher Peter Wezeman from the institute stated that although NATO European members are trying to reduce their reliance on imported weapons and strengthen their own military industries, the transatlantic weapons supply relationship remains deeply rooted.
During the "2025 From the Heart International Forum," former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev told Observer, "Europe is now waking up, and its relationship with the US has changed significantly compared to five to ten years ago." Former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme also admitted that the EU's over-reliance on the US in the security field, its lack of innovation and productivity, and insufficient competitiveness on the global stage are problems.
But in contrast to the US attempt to marginalize Europe, Leterme also told Observer, "Europeans are a bit worried that the US might abandon Ukraine."
"Europeans have no choice but to prepare to stand up for their values." Behind Plevneliev's statement lies the reality of the Trump administration's "28-point peace plan" for Ukraine, which bypassed allies' consultations, as well as the EU's urgent need to decouple from the US, reduce dependencies, and accelerate the pursuit of strategic autonomy.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7580401103947285033/
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