Victor Davis Hanson: Trump’s New National Security Strategy Holds China’s Feet to the Fire

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Dec 15, 2025

The discussion highlights the controversial warning that Europe faces 'civilization erasure' amidst new U.S. national security strategies. A significant focus is placed on economic security measures against China, including trade and supply chain priorities. Victor Davis Hanson critiques the notion that engagement will lead to China's democratization, pointing instead to military expansion. The strategy's approach to ending the Ukraine war is debated, emphasizing the need for Europe to enhance defense spending to avoid endless conflict.

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INSIGHT

Strategy Focuses On China

The National Security Strategy reframes economic and military competition as primarily aimed at China rather than solely condemning Russia.
Victor Davis Hanson argues trade, supply chains, and reindustrialization measures target China's rise and military buildup.

INSIGHT

Prosperity Won't Democratize China

The paper rejects the idea that trade and prosperity will democratize China.
Hanson warns Chinese economic gains financed rapid military expansion instead of political liberalization.

ADVICE

Seek An End To The Ukraine War

Push for an end to the Russia–Ukraine war unless Europe commits far more defense spending and weapons.
Hanson recommends avoiding an endless, high-casualty conflict on Europe's borders.

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The recently unveiled U.S. National Security Strategy has ruffled liberal and even some conservative feathers both here and abroad, for two reasons:

No. 1, the Trump administration told Europe an inconvenient truth: The birthplace of Western civilization is facing “civilization erasure.” And No. 2, critics feel that the strategy is not critical enough of Russia and China.

They’re wrong.
An entire section, “Economic Security,” is a not-so-subtle nod to America’s ongoing, great power competition with China, evident in these carefully selected priorities: “balanced trade,” ”securing access to critical supply chains and materials,” “reindustrialization,” “reviving our defense industrial base,” etc.
The other controversy is: Why does the strategy call for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war and not just openly condemn Vladimir Putin instead?

Because the assessment is grounded in reality. Unless the Europeans want to spend more than the already mandated 5% of GDP on defense budgets and pour more sophisticated weapons systems into Ukraine, then the conflict has no clear end in sight: “Do you wanna have an ongoing bleeding Stalingrad or Verdun … right on the borders of Europe,” asks Victor Davis Hanson on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.”

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