United States : The United States has officially suspended all foreign aid and ordered a thorough review of its international financial assistance programs. This move is aimed at ensuring that U.S. foreign aid is both efficient and aligned with the country’s foreign policy goals under the “America First” agenda, which prioritizes American interests over international commitments. The decision comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining the new approach.
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that the administration’s new stance is clear: the United States will no longer “blindly dole out money with no return for the American people.” Bruce highlighted that reviewing and realigning foreign assistance to better serve U.S. taxpayers is not only a necessary measure, but also a moral imperative. This shift reflects a broader policy approach under the Trump administration, which has been critical of the United States’ involvement in foreign affairs and has advocated for a more self-interested approach to global relations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that all foreign assistance funded by or through the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) would be paused for review. This includes financial assistance to countries and organizations around the world, some of which have been recipients of U.S. aid for decades. In 2023, USAID allocated nearly $45 billion in aid to 158 countries, addressing a range of global issues, from poverty and health crises to infrastructure and educational projects. However, with this suspension and review, the future of many of these programs is now uncertain.
The review is expected to assess the effectiveness of the aid provided, its alignment with American interests, and whether the programs are delivering tangible benefits to the U.S. While the move is consistent with Trump’s broader “America First” foreign policy, which calls for reducing foreign commitments and focusing more on domestic priorities, it also raises concerns about the potential impact on global development. Many countries that rely heavily on U.S. aid may now face uncertainty about future support.
The U.S. government’s reorientation of foreign aid comes at a time when international challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, require global cooperation. Critics argue that cutting or suspending aid could undermine American credibility as a leader in addressing these issues and could harm diplomatic relations with allied nations. However, the Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized that foreign aid should serve U.S. interests and contribute to national security, economic goals, and other strategic objectives.
In the coming months, as the review process unfolds, the U.S. government is expected to release further details about the specific programs under review and any changes that may occur. Some foreign aid programs may continue, while others could be scaled back or discontinued, depending on their relevance to the new policy framework. This reassessment is a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to reducing foreign aid unless it directly benefits the United States and its citizens.
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