ThePrint ThePrintPod: How China reads US National Security Strategy—a return of America First in new language
Dec 14, 2025
Discover how China perceives the latest US National Security Strategy, seeing it as a revival of the 'America First' agenda. Chinese commentators are reacting strongly, interpreting shifts towards the Western Hemisphere as a cooling of Indo-Pacific commitments. The podcast explores the implications of rephrased concerns about competition versus threat, with calls for increased Chinese self-reliance. Analyze how the strategy may provide openings for China amidst continued rivalry while raising concerns about US isolationism adding global volatility.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
America First Returns In New Language
- China reads the new U.S. National Security Strategy as a revival of America First and a reprioritization of U.S. interests.
- Chinese commentators see this as a shift from alliance-driven Indo-Pacific focus toward Western Hemisphere and domestic-industrial priorities.
From Decoupling To Reciprocity
- Analysts note a language shift from 'decoupling' to 'reciprocity' and 'fairness', signaling transactional U.S. policy.
- Chinese readers interpret this as acceptance of limits to prolonged confrontation and a move to selective, targeted competition.
Strategy Reframes Trade As Structural Imbalance
- Some Chinese commentators view the NSS as reframing decades of trade as structurally imbalanced, moving from competition to threat perception.
- The strategy is read as restructuring U.S. approach to ensure American industrial and strategic advantage.