US President Donald Trump ratifies the National Defense Authorization Act 2019. (Photo: AP)

The National Defense Authorization Act was passed by Congress in early August.

Big investment in the military

The 716-billion-USD military spending act earmarks 69 billion USD for overseas activities and 22 billion USD for nuclear programs. The bill will cover the purchase of 77 F-35 fighters, the Pentagon’s most expensive weapon program, and authorize a the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier, six icebreakers, and a Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. The bill supports the US Air Force's new long-range stealth B-21 bomber and efforts to integrate the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, missile defense systems.

After many years of cutting back its military budget, the US is rebuilding its military strength to an unprecedented level. President Trump called it the most important investment in the modern history of the US army.

Purpose and foreign response

The US National Defense Authorization Act acknowledges challenges to US prosperity and security from China and Russia.  Added to new trade tariffs, the National Defense Authorization Act sends a clear message to China. It finances 14 activities to contain China, including an initiative for Indo-Pacific stabilization and the Maritime Security Initiative for Southeast Asia covering the Indo-Pacific region. 

The new budget gives the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States more power to monitor China’s investments in the US and their its impact on US national security.

China has criticized the new military spending authorization and urged the United States to abandon Cold War thinking. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US is destroying bilateral relations and cooperation.