Washington, D.C. – The United States is set to eliminate a significant portion of its foreign aid programs, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that 83% of initiatives under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will be discontinued.
The move follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January, which mandated a comprehensive review of foreign aid expenditures to align them with his administration’s priorities. Rubio confirmed the cuts in a post on social media platform X, stating that over 5,200 contracts would be terminated, amounting to tens of billions of dollars in spending.
“These programs failed to serve America’s core national interests and, in some cases, even harmed them,” Rubio wrote.
Major Restructuring at USAID
USAID, which provides humanitarian assistance and development funding in approximately 120 countries, has been at the center of debate over the role of U.S. foreign aid. The State Department announced on February 26 that 92% of USAID’s program funding would be eliminated, affecting 5,800 grants.
The cuts are part of a broader cost-reduction effort spearheaded by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Rubio specifically acknowledged Musk’s role in streamlining government spending and reducing bureaucratic waste.
Reactions and Implications
The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Trump and his supporters argue that foreign aid has long been a drain on U.S. resources, failing to produce tangible benefits for American citizens.
However, aid organizations warn that the cuts could have dire consequences for global stability and public health. USAID has been a key player in providing disaster relief, medical assistance, and economic development support in regions facing conflict, poverty, and natural disasters. Critics say that reducing aid could lead to increased instability, particularly in regions where U.S. assistance has helped counteract the influence of adversarial nations such as China and Russia.
Recent reports indicate that USAID has already begun scaling back operations in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. Several major health programs, including HIV/AIDS prevention and maternal health initiatives, have been halted.
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats and some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns over the sweeping cuts, with discussions underway about potential legislative efforts to restore at least a portion of the funding.
As the restructuring takes effect, the global impact of the decision remains to be seen, with humanitarian groups warning of potential setbacks in poverty alleviation, emergency response, and international development efforts.
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