Trump’s National Security Strategy Surprises EU, Signals Potential China Shift | Taiwan Talks EP730

US President Donald Trump’s administration has released its National Security Strategy (NSS), which includes an ‘America First’ makeover for US defense and foreign policy. In a speech two days later at the Reagan National Defense Forum, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Administration would put “practical, concrete interests first.” By contrast, there was a notable lack of emphasis on “values” compared to earlier administrations. The grand strategy document received a chilly reception from the US' traditional allies in Europe, but a warmer response from adversaries like Russia. What does the NSS reveal about the Administration’s priorities in Europe and Asia? Should America’s allies be worried? And what does it tell us about Trump's relationships with China and Taiwan? In this episode, we analyze the new NSS, including the stakeholders involved and what it means — or doesn’t mean — for how the new US administration would respond to current and future geopolitical crises.

*Recorded on December 10, 2025 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host: Wen-Ti Sung
Producer: Chinyeh Chiang

Guests:

Guermantes Lailari
Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Visiting Scholar
National Chengchi University Visiting Scholar
Retired US Air Force Foreign Area Officer

Hsin-Chih Chen
National Cheng Kung University Department of Political Science Professor

Chapters:
00:00:00 - US National Security Strategy
00:02:27 - Why Is US Shifting From Europe?
00:11:40 - Is Trump Changing China Stance?
00:21:06 - US Policy Toward Taiwan




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