US President Donald Trump has floated a provocative idea that sidelines and challenges the hegemony of Europe in world affairs. According to reports, the US President has come up with an idea of forming a Core 5” or C5 grouping. The grouping is reported to bring together the United States, China, Russia, India, and Japan.
According to a Politico report, quoting observers, the new proposal has been pushed as it aligns with Trump’s worldview to reshape the world order.
National Security Strategy Reportedly Mentioned The Proposal
The proposal reportedly appeared in a longer, unpublished version of the National Security Strategy, which the White House released last week in a 33-page official plan. The Politico report mentioned that it could not independently verify the existence of the longer draft, though the concept was first referenced by Defense One.
According to the reports, the White House has categorically denied the report. Spokesperson Anna Kelly told Politico, “No alternative, private, or classified version exists beyond the 33-page official plan.”
What is C5 And Who Would Be in the Grouping
The reported yet hypothetical C5 grouping would unite the world’s largest established and emerging powers while entirely excluding Europe.
Torrey Taussig, who served on the National Security Council under President Biden, told Politico that the concept aligns with Trump’s “nonideological” approach and his preference for dealing with strong leaders managing their own spheres of influence. She added that excluding Europe could signal that the United States views Russia, rather than the EU, as the continent’s “preeminent power.”
Analysts note early indicators of a shift in priorities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described a recent Trump–Xi meeting as a historic “G2,” raising eyebrows on Capitol Hill.
Although the White House denies any secret or alternative document beyond the official strategy, experts see a “Trumpian” logic in the C5 idea.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
