Overview
- India is described in functional terms tied to Indo-Pacific deterrence, with the document seeking improved commercial ties to spur New Delhi’s contributions to the Quad rather than celebrating it as a leading partner.
- South Korea is explicitly elevated as an industrial and technology partner, with Seoul and Washington announcing plans for more than $200 billion in accelerated Korean investment in U.S. sectors such as chips, energy and advanced tech, and analysts flag potential naval shipbuilding cooperation under proposed frameworks.
- Economic tools move to the forefront as the strategy endorses strategic tariffs, tighter export controls, near‑shoring and tougher investment screening, with legal guidance urging companies to reassess trade exposure, compliance programs and immigration‑related workforce risks.
- China remains the central competitor in a managed economic contest, with calls to rebalance trade, curb IP theft and supply‑chain leverage, sustain deterrence over Taiwan, and continue strict controls on advanced technologies without labeling Beijing a categorical adversary.
- The document prioritizes the Western Hemisphere with emphasis on migration control, countering cartels and limiting external influence, while pressing allies to raise defense spending and assume primary responsibility for regional security.