Pentagon’s annual report on China prioritizes ‘deterrence’ over ‘confrontation’

Published December 24, 2025 2:05pm ET



The War Department has informed Congress in its latest annual report on China that it intends to combat the adversary in the Indo-Pacific “through strength, not confrontation.”

The unclassified report brings the Pentagon’s handling of Beijing in line with President Donald Trump’s broader national security strategy to focus on his “America First” doctrine.

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