President Trump said that the United States faces growing competition from Russia and China, which are seeking “to challenge American influence, values and wealth”, in a major speech on Monday.
Mr Trump broke with his two most recent predecessors, Presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush, by personally announcing the national security strategy. But Mr Trump’s speech at times seemed at odds with the 55-page document, which serves as a blueprint for American policy on issues including jihadi extremism, space exploration, bio-threats and pandemics, the New York Times reports.
Speaking to an audience that included cabinet members and military officers, the president delivered a campaign-like address, with calls to build a wall along the nation’s southern border with Mexico and a several mentions of the country’s bull market, low jobless rate and tax cuts, which he said were “days away.”