On 4th December 2025 the Donald Trump administration released the new National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States of America. The document, which constitutes the primary roadmap of security and foreign policy, outlining national interests, addressing threats and defining strategic priorities, may provide some reference points for understanding Trump’s vision of international affairs. What are the key takeaways on Asia?
- Asia: a top priority after homeland
The new NSS hails Asia as the top US foreign policy priority. It is only preceded by the Western Hemisphere, which exerts direct impact on the US homeland security as the principal source of direct threats related to drugs and migration. NSS recognises Asia, also interchangeably referred to as the Indo-Pacific, as the central place in today’s global economic and geopolitical dynamics, stating that America’s domination there underpins prosperity “at home”. The document reiterates the US commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, but it is clear this pledge must, in the first place, serve the US national interests, and cannot eclipse the goal of rebalancing trade relations in the US’ favour. America’s approach towards Asia is defined largely through the prism of economic interests, which can be identified as a central thread throughout the entire NSS.
- China: between economic competition and engagement
The NSS voices criticism of the previous administrations’ approach to China. It states that promoting its integration into the global economy has led to the current trade imbalance. The new strategy and its language signal a departure from former policy. While the previous Trump and Biden administrations positioned China as a political and military contender, eroding international order and American security, this NSS lacks the “great power competition” tone and frames Beijing mainly as an economic competitor. The 2025 NSS is the first since 1988 not addressing democracy or human rights issues. One of the main objectives of Trump’s Asia policy will certainly be to reconfigure the “unbalanced” economic relations with China, with decoupling in areas critical to national security, such as rare earth elements, as a key tenet. The NSS, however, leaves room for engagement with Beijing to “maintain genuinely mutually advantageous economic relationship”.
- Taiwan and the First Island Chain: deterrence
Besides reducing the current trade deficit with China, the US strategy in Asia will concentrate on deterring a conflict over Taiwan and other parts of the First Island Chain. In contrast to the previous documents, the new NSS does not explicitly mention the “one China” policy, just stating the US commitment to the “longstanding declaratory policy” of not supporting any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The importance of preventing a conflict over the island, mentioned for the first time as a priority, stems from its semiconductor industry and strategic location, including its proximity to key sea lines of communication. There is a clear strategic focus on securing the First Island Chain, evidenced by four references to it – the first occurrence of such mentions in an NSS. The US aims to achieve this by maintaining a favourable balance of military power – here the document heralds close defence and military cooperation with allies, noting “the American military cannot, and should not have to, do this alone”. The new national strategy remains silent on North Korea, potentially implying a deprioritisation of the issue.
- Allies: defence build-ups and trade balance
The NSS mentions America’s network of alliances as one of the strategic assets, echoing the longstanding view that partnerships enhance US security. Trump’s administration stresses its willingness to develop them, but concurrently emphasises restraining free-riding and trade imbalances. The new NSS treats Asian allies in a softer way than the European partners, sparing them criticism about economic decline, censorship or “prospect of civilizational erasure”. Trump will, however, keep putting pressure on Asian allies and partners, including Japan, Australia, Taiwan and South Korea, to ramp up military expenditure and develop capabilities reinforcing regional deterrence. The NSS assigns partners in the Indo-Pacific a crucial role in curbing China’s economic influence, and even suggests that Trump may seek to integrate Asian allies into a unified economic bloc. The document mentions Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Quad format (the US, Japan, India, Australia) and India, outlining the need for its greater contribution to Indo-Pacific security, but leaves out the Philippines and the AUKUS partnership (Australia, the UK, the US).
Jakub Witczak Project Coordinator at the Boym Institute. Student of international relations at the University of Warsaw. Member of the Forum of Young Diplomats and founder of the Student Association of Pacific Area States. Research areas include transatlantic security, international security in the Indo-Pacific, international military relations, security policy of Japan, Taiwan, Sino-American relations and history of Asia-Pacific.
Więcej informacji na temat: newslettera, polityki prywatności serwisu
czytaj więcej
Patrycja Pendrakowska as a founding member of the WICCI’s India-EU Business Council
By sharing knowledge, business opportunities, and best practices the Council generates awareness of women's contributions in developing the India-EU relations.
WICCI’s India-EU Business Council – a new platform for women in business
Interview with Ada Dyndo, President of WICCI's India-EU Business Council and Principal Consultant of European Business and Technology Centre
Ada DyndoPatrycja Pendrakowska as a participant of Women Economic Forum (WEF) in India
The interactive discussion covers recent projects and collaborations which have contributed to a greener economy in India
Interview with Uki Maroshek-Klarman on “Betzavta” method
Interview with Uki Maroshek-Klarman - Academic Director of the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Israel. Founder of "Betzavta" method, which was created with intention of streghtening people's participation in society and making conflicts easier to solve.
Patrycja PendrakowskaNot only tests and masks: the history of Polish-Vietnamese mutual helpfulness
On the initiative of the Vietnamese community in Poland and Vietnamese graduates of Polish universities, our country received support from Vietnam - a country that deals with the threat posed by Sars-Cov-2 very effectively.
Grażyna Szymańska-MatusiewiczKyrgyzstan on the Path to Political Stabilisation
On 10 January, early presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan, following the resignation of the incumbent, President Zheenbekov. The atmosphere in which the vote was conducted remained tense. This had been the case since the results of the October elections were announced, in which the opposition grouping failed to win a single parliamentary seat.
Jerzy OlędzkiBook review of "GDR International Development Policy Involvement. Doctrine and Strategies between Illusions and Reality 1960-1990, The example (South) Africa", written by Ulrich van der Heyden and published by Lit Verlag in 2013.
Nicolas LeviWe would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaInvest and cooperate with Serbia or Poland? A dilemma for South Korean companies
This paper explains why Serbia may replace Poland as a strategic outsourcing centre for South Korean companies in Central and Southern Europe.
Nicolas LeviWomen in Public Debate – A Guide to Organising Inclusive and Meaningful Discussions
On the occasion of International Women's Day, we warmly invite you to read our guide to good practices: "Women in Public Debate – A Guide to Organising Inclusive and Meaningful Discussions."
Ada DyndoMeeting with Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman
It’s a great pleasure for the Boym Institute to organize an open meeting with dr Uki Maroshek who founded the betzavta method. Betzavta is taught across the globe at the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Jerusalem as well as in other institutions in Europe and the Middle East.
We would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaOpportunities and challenges of India’s G20 Presidency
Ada Dyndo conducts an interview with Shairee Malhotra on India’s role in G20. Shairee Malhotra serves as a Coordinator of the T20 India Taskforce on Reformed Multilateralism for India’s G20 presidency.
Ada DyndoEnvironmental problems transcend not only national borders but also historical periods. And yet debates on the necessary measures and timelines are often constrained by considerations of election cycles (or dynastic successions) in any given country.
Dawid JuraszekBook review: “North Korea’s Cities”
Book review of "North Korea’s Cities", written by Rainer Dormels and published byJimoondang Publishing Company in 2014.
Nicolas LeviWorkshop – Liberalism vs authoritarianism: political ideas in Singapore and China
We cordially invite you to a workshop session “Liberalism vs authoritarianism: political ideas in Singapore and China”. The workshop is organized by Patrycja Pendrakowska and Maria Kądzielska at the Department of Philosophy, University of Warsaw on ZOOM.
The North Korean nuclear dismantlement and the management of its nuclear wastes
Evidence suggests that North Korea stores its high-level nuclear waste (HLW) in liquid form in tanks on the same site where it is made, and has not invested in infrastructure to reduce, dentrify, or vitrify this waste. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, one of many aspects of the North Korean nuclear waste problem.
Nicolas LeviDr. Nicolas Levi with a lecture in Seoul
On May 24 Dr. Nicolas Levi gave a lecture on Balcerowicz's plan in the context of North Korea. The speech took place as part of the seminar "Analyzing the Possibility of Reform and its Impact on Human Rights in North Korea". The seminar took place on May 24 at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
The link between EU Aid and Good Governance in Central Asia
Nowadays all the CA states continue transitioning into the human-centered model of governance where the comprehensive needs of societies must be satisfied, nevertheless, the achievements are to a greater extent ambiguous.
Women’s liberation in China: interview with prof. Wu Lijuan
Interview of Ewelina Horoszkiewicz with prof. Wu Lijuan - Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology at Peking University. Her research concentrates on the gender issues and social changes brought about by globalization. She wrote a book “Job Placements and Job Shifts in China: The Effects of Education, Family Background and Gender”.
Ewelina HoroszkiewiczNew Female Prime Minister Faces Thailand’s Political Turmoil
Thailand, known for military coups, political downfalls, and dashed democratic hopes, has a new Prime Minister. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is not only the youngest elected Prime Minister in the country's history and the second woman to hold this post, but she is also a member of the Shinawatra political dynasty.
Andżelika SerwatkaChina – USA in the South China Sea
The trade war is just one of the problems of confrontation between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Many aspects of this competition coincide in the South China Sea.
Paweł BehrendtA Story of Victory? The 30th Anniversary of Kazakh Statehood and Challenges for the Future.
On 25 May 2021, the Boym Institute, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organised an international debate with former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski (1995-2005).
Europe and the Consequences of China’s First Step on the Moon
Just a few years ago, it was assumed that the United States would almost automatically reclaim the lead in landing on the Moon. The original timeline envisioned Artemis III for 2024, but successive delays pushed the mission first to 2025–2026 and now to no earlier than mid-2027.
Kamil Golemo