US strategy: Let us take its signals in our stride

America's ‘National Security Strategy’ reflects Trump's priorities. The Quad's relatively low rank is not really a surprise. India must work to serve its interests on its own terms anyway

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President Donald Trump’s vision of how the US should engage the rest of the world, as outlined in America’s National Security Strategy 2025, is unapologetically America First.

It views non-first countries as potential markets, partners and allies in keeping the world open for the pursuit of US interests. To echo Adam Smith, it is not from the benevolence of Uncle Sam’s army, technology or ideals of democracy that the world should expect peace and prosperity, but from its regard for its self-interest. The US may part with some of what it has to offer, but as part of a deal; it wants free and open access to resources and markets.