Deals Over Democracy: How Trump’s Security Strategy Reshapes US Foreign Policy

by Lāsma Kokina

In this paper, we discuss:

• Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy, which prioritises transactional power and economic advantage over democracy promotion;
• A sharp pivot to the Western Hemisphere, framing migration, organised crime, and border control as core security threats;
• A downgrading of traditional rivals, with Russia treated leniently, China framed mainly through economic competition, and Europe openly criticised;
• A reordering of US global priorities, where deals, leverage, and coercion increasingly replace alliances and shared values.

Download PDF: Trump’s Security December 2025