The Pentagon has released its National Defense Strategy, in which it confirmed its priority has shifted from China to an "America First" policy amid another turbulent week for Nato-American relations.
In the wake of President Trump's threats of tariffs to Nato members who did not support his acquisition of Greenland, the report states the US will now offer "more limited" support to its allies.
"For too long, the US Government neglected — even rejected — putting Americans and their concrete interests first," the first line of the report read.
Meanwhile, the opening subheading began: "America First. Peace Through Strength. Common Sense."
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In another eerie warning for Nato, the Pentagon insisted they "will guarantee US military and commercial access to key terrain, especially the Panama Canal, Gulf of America, and Greenland".
It also warned the US will "actively and fearlessly defend America’s interests throughout the Western Hemisphere."
The report - released once every four years - demonstrates a significant change in strategy.
Previously, China had been identified as the biggest threat and top defence priority. Instead, relations will now be approached with "strength, not confrontation".
The Pentagon has released its National Defense Strategy, in which its priority has shifted from China to an 'America First' policy amid another turbulent week with Nato
|GETTY
In comparison, in 2018's report the Pentagon described the "revisionist powers", such as China and Russia, as the "central challenge" to US security.
The goal "is not to dominate China; nor is it to strangle or humiliate them", it said, adding: "President Trump seeks a stable peace, fair trade, and respectful relations with China."
The report also called on allies to increase support. It requested greater "burden-sharing" to threats posed by Russia and North Korea.
The tone was clear; it called for a "sharp shift - in approach, focus, and tone", pressing US allies to take control of their own borders and security.
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Donald Trump caused controversy at the World Economic Forum, claiming Nato troops 'stayed a little back' in Afghanistan
| GETTYFor example, South Korea was given the "primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but more limited US support."
Taiwan was not mentioned throughout the report. The island is claimed by China as its own, though that is not a view held by the island itself, whose democratically elected government strongly rejects Beijing's stance.
China has vowed to annex Taiwan, even by force if required, while the US announced a major arms sale to Taiwan worth $11bn (£8.2bn) last year. China responded by holding military drills around the island.
As for Europe, the Pentagon stated that, while Russia will "remain a persistent but manageable threat to Nato's eastern members for the foreseeable future," Nato members are "strongly positioned to take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense".
The report follows a controversial few days for Mr Trump, who claimed at the World Economic Forum this week the US had "never gotten anything" from Nato and "we've never asked for anything".
He added "the United States was paying for virtually 100 per cent of Nato," while he was accused of undermining those who were killed during service in Afghanistan, claiming Nato members "stayed a little back" from the frontline.
Sir Keir Starmer blasted the President's comments as "insulting" and "appalling".
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