The US will not come to Europe’s aid if Russia launches an attack, a leaked confidential Pentagon document has revealed.
The internal guidance memo from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that deterring China from taking Taiwan was higher on the US’ list of ambitions.
The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance”, was sent around the Pentagon last week.
“It outlines, in broad and sometimes partisan detail, the execution of President Donald Trump’s vision to prepare for and win a potential war against Beijing and defend the United States from threats in the near abroad, including Greenland and the Panama Canal”, the Washington Post reports.
It said it would support Europe against Russia with its huge nuclear deterrence capabilities, however, troops would be first sent to China or kept for homeland defence, with the remaining troops sent to the EU.
“China is the Department's sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese seizure of Taiwan — while simultaneously defending the US homeland is the Department's sole pacing scenario,” Hegseth wrote.
The President had previously said that he would not commit to defending Taiwan in the face of a Chinese invasion. Last summer Trump stated that the island “doesn’t give us anything”.
The document adds that an increase in Europe spending more on defence “will also ensure Nato can reliably deter or defeat Russian aggression even if deterrence fails and the United States is already engaged in, or must withhold forces to deter, a primary conflict in another region”.
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Trump wants Nato members to spend a whopping 5 percent of GDP on defence — more than double the alliance’s current spending target.
The United States is the top Nato member spender, with around €895.6 billion in its 2024 defence budget.
The nine-page memo said that the US needs to protect itself from unspecified “near abroad” threats whilst also defending American interests, such as Greenland.
Last week, tensions with Denmark stepped up after Trump declared “we have to have Greenland”.
Hegseth also said that the Pentagon will start to shift focus away from militant groups in the Middle East and Africa who are not currently carrying out attacks.
The Washington Post said that some parts of the document are identical to a report from the conservative think tank behind Project 2025.
The multi-part plan created in 2023 to consulate power in favour of right-wing policies, though Trump disavowed Heritage's Project 2025 manifesto during his campaign.
Find Out More...
The internal guidance memo from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that deterring China from taking Taiwan was higher on the US’ list of ambitions.
The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance”, was sent around the Pentagon last week.
“It outlines, in broad and sometimes partisan detail, the execution of President Donald Trump’s vision to prepare for and win a potential war against Beijing and defend the United States from threats in the near abroad, including Greenland and the Panama Canal”, the Washington Post reports.
It said it would support Europe against Russia with its huge nuclear deterrence capabilities, however, troops would be first sent to China or kept for homeland defence, with the remaining troops sent to the EU.
“China is the Department's sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese seizure of Taiwan — while simultaneously defending the US homeland is the Department's sole pacing scenario,” Hegseth wrote.
The President had previously said that he would not commit to defending Taiwan in the face of a Chinese invasion. Last summer Trump stated that the island “doesn’t give us anything”.
The document adds that an increase in Europe spending more on defence “will also ensure Nato can reliably deter or defeat Russian aggression even if deterrence fails and the United States is already engaged in, or must withhold forces to deter, a primary conflict in another region”.
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Trump wants Nato members to spend a whopping 5 percent of GDP on defence — more than double the alliance’s current spending target.
The United States is the top Nato member spender, with around €895.6 billion in its 2024 defence budget.
The nine-page memo said that the US needs to protect itself from unspecified “near abroad” threats whilst also defending American interests, such as Greenland.
Last week, tensions with Denmark stepped up after Trump declared “we have to have Greenland”.
Hegseth also said that the Pentagon will start to shift focus away from militant groups in the Middle East and Africa who are not currently carrying out attacks.
The Washington Post said that some parts of the document are identical to a report from the conservative think tank behind Project 2025.
The multi-part plan created in 2023 to consulate power in favour of right-wing policies, though Trump disavowed Heritage's Project 2025 manifesto during his campaign.
Find Out More...