Nobel laureate Paul Krugman isn't mincing words about Donald Trump's newly released National Security Strategy. In fact, he thinks parts of it sound like they came straight out of Pyongyang.
When American Policy Sounds Familiar, But Not in a Good Way
Writing on his Substack, Krugman called out the White House strategy document as a dramatic departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy. During a conversation with Martin Wolf of the Financial Times, he pointed to what he sees as a troubling abandonment of liberal values and democracy—the very principles America has traditionally championed on the world stage.
His most biting observation? "Some of it reads as if it was translated from the North Korean, with effusive praise for Dear Leader." That's not exactly the kind of comparison any administration wants to hear from a prominent economist.
Back to the Future: 19th-Century Geopolitics Make a Comeback
Beyond the stylistic concerns, Krugman noted a fundamental strategic shift. The document emphasizes regional dominance in the Americas rather than the global ideological competition that defined Trump's first term—particularly the rivalry with China. In fact, Krugman expressed surprise that China takes a back seat in this strategy, given how central that competition was just a few years ago.
He described the approach as reminiscent of early 19th-century geopolitics, when regional spheres of influence mattered more than global ideological battles. The strategy introduces a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, reinforcing this America-first approach to hemispheric affairs.
Europe in the Crosshairs
Krugman was particularly critical of how the strategy treats European allies. He argues it effectively pressures European nations to abandon their own liberal values, and suggests the U.S. seems more preoccupied with demographic changes in Europe than with maintaining competitive pressure on China.
The strategy does outline ambitious economic goals and reinforces America's military and technological leadership. But for Krugman, the overall direction represents a worrying ideological shift with potential consequences for both domestic stability and international relationships.
This critique fits within Krugman's broader concerns about the Trump administration's economic impact. Back in November 2025, he warned that Trump's allies were dismantling financial regulations in ways that could trigger instability reminiscent of the 2008 crisis. He's also argued that Trump's policies are making America less affordable, despite the president's promises to the contrary.