Part 2/9:
Mainstream headlines paint a picture of retreat. The Wall Street Journal hints that Trump’s national security strategy has softened language on China, while outlets like The New York Times describe it as missing a dedicated chapter on superpower competition. Bloomberg claims the strategy is more aggressive toward allies than adversaries, and The Atlantic dismisses it as incoherent babble. These narratives fuel the idea that Trump, perhaps more than any recent leader, is turning away from a long-standing American posture of robust global engagement, especially in regard to China.