How Trump's $8bn foreign aid cuts could threaten US security | DW News

Key Concepts:

• US Foreign Aid Cuts: Reduction in financial assistance provided by the US government to developing countries.
• Soft Power: The ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or payment.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Aid provided to alleviate suffering during emergencies or crises.
• Global Health Programs: Initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes worldwide.
• National Security: The protection of a nation's borders, people, and interests.
• Commercial Diplomacy: Using trade and economic relationships to achieve foreign policy goals.
• Root Causes of Migration: Underlying factors that compel people to leave their home countries.
• State Department: The US government agency responsible for foreign affairs.

1. US Foreign Aid Cuts and Congressional Approval

• The US House of Representatives approved cuts to foreign aid, with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it.
• The Senate also passed the bill the previous week.
• The bill will cut billions of dollars in US aid, although the final amount is less than what President Trump initially proposed.
• The Senate excluded a global HIV/AIDS prevention program from the cuts.
• Republicans argued that the funds allocated to foreign aid were often used for programs they deemed wasteful.
• The bill is now headed to the White House, where President Trump is expected to sign it into law.

2. Impact on US Soft Power and National Security

• Enrique Roig, former deputy assistant secretary at the US Department of State, expressed concern over the "dismantling of USAD."
• The cuts will affect programs related to humanitarian assistance, global health, conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and democracy and governance.
• Roig stated that the US is at a "real low point" in terms of its soft power and ability to conduct these programs.
• He also mentioned the firing of approximately 1300 State Department officials, many of whom worked on these global programs.
• Roig emphasized that the US cannot solely rely on military power and quoted former Secretary of Defense Mattis: "If you don't fund the State Department, you're going to have to buy me more ammunition."
• The cuts could negatively impact US national security by undermining efforts to mitigate migration and address the root causes of instability in other countries.

3. Specific Examples of Affected Programs

• Programs supporting the reintegration of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador have been "gutted."
• Programs addressing the root causes of migration in Central America are also affected.
• Life-saving humanitarian support, medicines, and other supplies to places like Sudan and Gaza are at risk.

4. Trade vs. Aid: A Shift in US Foreign Policy

• The Trump administration favors trade over aid, promoting "commercial diplomacy."
• Roig acknowledged the importance of trade but emphasized that diplomacy and foreign assistance are essential tools in US foreign policy.
• The cuts will result in a "loss of capacity" and damage relationships built over decades with government partners, NGOs, and civil society.
• The US will lose its ability to support populations in conflict zones.

5. Geopolitical Implications and Potential Void

• Roig expressed concern that China could fill the void left by the US in providing aid and support.
• He described the cuts as an "act of self-sabotage" by the Trump administration.
• It will take a long time to rebuild the lost capacity and relationships if the opportunity arises in the future.
• While other countries, including China and EU members, could shoulder more of the humanitarian burden, the US has been a major player in this arena.

6. Financial Context and Budget Allocation

• US foreign aid accounts for only 1% of the entire US national budget.
• The US spends significantly more on defense, with the defense budget surpassing $1 trillion.
• USAD's budget has been around $40 billion, which has supported important work in humanitarian assistance and global health programs.

7. Conclusion

The US foreign aid cuts, approved by Congress and expected to be signed into law by President Trump, represent a significant shift in US foreign policy. These cuts will have far-reaching consequences, impacting humanitarian assistance, global health programs, and US soft power. The potential for China to fill the void left by the US raises concerns about geopolitical implications. While trade is important, it needs to be balanced with foreign assistance to maintain effective diplomacy and national security. The long-term effects of these cuts could be detrimental to US interests and its ability to address global challenges.