Although no formal document has ever been articulated there is enough data, two years into the administration, to deduce the basic grand strategy of Donald Trump. It has three goals. 1) reverse the perceived net financial and knowledge outflow deficits to other great powers ...
2) regain freedom of action from the restraints of economic and diplomatic undertakings regarded as obsolete; and 3) position the United States as the "breakout power" of the 21st century, ready to exploit disruptive technologies that are likely to emerge.
The closest analog to Trump's strategy is probably Jackie Fisher's decision to undertake the Dreadnought even if it meant abandoning the legacy British Navy of the 19th century. Perceiving a discontinuity was at hand, Fisher was determined to gain a half-step on rivals.
In Britain's case the rival rising power was the Kaiser's Germany. In America's case the rival of interest is China. China has cornered most of the financial and technical imbalance Trump seeks to reverse and it may well be the breakout power if the US isn't first.
The grand strategy of the EU by contrast, is to aspire for guaranteed second place. It doesn't care who takes top spot. Having been 2nd for 70 years, it doesn't mind being 2nd for 70 more.
By contrast the grand strategy of Obama was one of "managed decline". It differed from the European only over who would take Number Two if the EU would take Number Three.
The British with customary perspicacity and daring guessed this too. Brexit is an attempt to regain strategy freedom also, even if it meant risking going it alone. Consenting to be number three inside the global number three was more than the old lion's pride could bear.
