US Redefines Defence Focus: China No Longer Priority

On 24 January 2026, the Pentagon released the 2026 National Defence Strategy, declaring China no longer its top priority. Instead, the focus shifts to protecting the U.S. homeland, the Western Hemisphere and reinforcing the Indo‑Pacific. The paper cites President Donald Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy, which called for U.S. dominance in the West and expanded strength in the Indo‑Pacific. While China is described as the most powerful state since the 19th century, it is now deemed “settled” and only requires deterrence against domination of allies. Allies such as South Korea—hosting 28,500 U.S. troops and raising defense spending by 7.5 %—are urged to shoulder more responsibility. Ukraine is to be supported with “critical but limited” aid, and Europe reminds the U.S. to keep priority on home lands and China.