The United States is reorienting its foreign policy, disengaging from Europe and the Middle East to focus its efforts on Asia, in the face of China’s rise to power.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States has begun a gradual withdrawal from the European and Middle Eastern regions, calling on its allies to ensure their own security. This strategic reorientation aims to focus American resources on Asia, in response to China’s growing influence. The implications of this pivot are far-reaching, affecting traditional alliances, regional stability and the global balance of power.

The United States redefines its international presence

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the United States has undertaken a reassessment of its role on the international stage. This has resulted in concrete actions to reduce its involvement in certain international organizations. On February 4, 2025, a presidential decree formalized the withdrawal of the United States from several United Nations bodies, including the Human Rights Council, where it held observer status. This decision is part of a drive to refocus US foreign policy on priorities deemed more aligned with its national interests.

At the same time, the Trump administration has suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). This follows accusations by Israel in January 2024 that some UNRWA employees were involved in Hamas attacks in October 2023. These decisions reflect a willingness on the part of the US administration to reassess its financial and political involvement in international organizations, depending on their actions and their alignment with US interests.

The strategic pivot to Asia

The US strategy of refocusing on Asia, initiated under the Obama administration in 2011, has been reinforced under President Donald Trump. This pivot aims to focus US diplomatic, economic and military efforts on the Asia-Pacific region, in response to China’s economic and military rise. This strategic reorientation has led to a gradual disengagement of the United States from the Middle East, enabling a more efficient allocation of resources to the Indo-Pacific.

However, this pivot is not without its challenges. Budget cuts in the defense sector have limited the United States’ ability to increase its military presence in Asia. Moreover, this strategy has contributed to deteriorating relations with Beijing, as China perceives this repositioning as an attempt at containment. Despite these obstacles, the United States has sought to strengthen its alliances in the region, notably with Japan, South Korea and Australia, to counter China’s growing influence.

Consequences for Europe and NATO

American disengagement has raised concerns among European allies. Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has played a central role in European security, notably through NATO. However, there has been recurrent criticism of the low level of military spending by European countries. Back in 2011, the then Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, expressed concern about Europe’s over-reliance on the United States for its defense.

Faced with the prospect of an American withdrawal, some countries, such as Poland and the Baltic States, have increased their military spending and strengthened their defense capabilities. In Western Europe, however, responses have been more limited, with modest budget increases and internal political debates about the need for an autonomous European defense. This situation highlights the need for Europe to rethink its defense strategy and reduce its dependence on the United States.

Implications for the Middle East

The US withdrawal from the Middle East has major implications for the stability of the region. The United States has long played the role of mediator and guarantor of security in the area, notably by supporting key allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, with the refocusing on Asia, Middle Eastern countries are being encouraged to take charge of their own security and resolve regional conflicts without the direct intervention of the United States.

This new approach has led to regional initiatives to manage crises such as Gaza. Arab countries are now being encouraged to draw up plans for the reconstruction of Gaza and to deploy peacekeeping forces to ensure stability. However, these efforts face significant challenges, including internal rivalries, limited resources and persistent mistrust between different regional players. The Palestinian question remains a major point of tension, with controversial proposals such as the transfer of populations to Jordan and Egypt eliciting strong reactions and outright rejections from the countries concerned.

Economic and geopolitical consequences

The US withdrawal from certain regions and the pivot towards Asia have significant economic and geopolitical repercussions. Countries in Europe and the Middle East must now assume a greater share of their own security, which implies an increase in military spending and a reorganization of strategic alliances. This transition could also pave the way for other powers, such as China and Russia, to increase their influence in these regions.

The US defense budget clearly reflects this shift in priorities. In 2023, the Pentagon has allocated 13.4 billion euros ($14.8 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, compared with 8.7 billion euros ($9.6 billion) for missions in Europe. These funds are intended to modernize American bases in the region, notably in Guam, Okinawa and the Philippines, as well as to increase projection capabilities in the South China Sea.

China’s growing power worries Washington on several fronts:

• The militarization of the South China Sea, with the construction of artificial islands and military bases.
• Rapid technological development, notably in AI and semiconductors.
• Economic expansion via the New Silk Roads, extending Chinese influence in Africa, Latin America and Central Asia.

To counter this advance, the United States is counting on the strengthening of the AUKUS alliance (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) and the Quad (United States, India, Japan, Australia). The latter has seen a 42% increase in joint military exercises between its members since 2021.

Calling European defense into question

American disengagement from Europe was predictable. As early as 2011, Robert Gates, then Secretary of Defense, was criticizing Europe’s low military spending. The breaking point came in 2022, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which highlighted the shortcomings of European military capabilities.

Despite promises to increase defense budgets, most NATO countries remain far from the 2% of GDP target set at the 2014 NATO summit:

• Germany: 1.5% of GDP in 2023 (even after the announcement of a €100 billion fund to modernize the Bundeswehr).
• France: 1.9% of GDP.
• Italy: 1.4% of GDP.

The United States estimates that it can no longer bear 70% of NATO’s expenditure alone, i.e. some 618 billion euros by 2023. Washington is therefore pushing its European allies to step up their efforts, particularly in the areas of nuclear deterrence and cyber defense.

The Middle East faces a new order

One of Donald Trump’s most controversial decisions was his proposal to relocate two million Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt. This initiative was unanimously opposed by Arab countries, who see it as an existential threat to regional stability.

The United States has also reduced its military commitment in the Middle East, with :

• A 60% withdrawal of troops in Iraq since 2020.
• A 40% reduction in the number of US aircraft stationed in the Gulf.
• The end of logistical support for certain Saudi operations in Yemen.

Washington’s aim is to encourage its Arab partners to take greater responsibility for managing regional crises. Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are encouraged to form a common front against Iran, to reduce the need for American military intervention.

Towards a multipolar world?

The progressive withdrawal of the United States from certain regions of the globe is calling into question the world order that emerged from the Cold War. In the absence of American hegemony, new poles of power are emerging:

• China is strengthening its economic and military influence in Asia and Africa.
• Russia is seeking to consolidate its influence in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
• Europe is attempting to build a more autonomous defense system, notably through Franco-German cooperation.

However, American disengagement remains partial. While Washington is withdrawing from certain missions, its strategic military bases remain in place, and its network of alliances remains a central element of its foreign policy.

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