309
US President Donald Trump's plans to drastically cut international aid could be a "major strategic mistake" that could lead to China's global influence increasing.
This opinion was expressed by the British Foreign Secretary David Lemmy, writes The Guardian. He recalled that the UK has already had a similar experience of merging the Department for International Development with the Foreign Office. This step was a serious blow to Britain's "soft power" in developing countries and beyond. During a visit to Kyiv, Lemmy noted in a comment to the Guardian that London had spent years "untangling this strategic mistake.
The publication noted that thousands of USAID employees have already been laid off. The agency's programs are being closed all over the world - including in Ukraine. These include various projects - from veteran rehabilitation programs to the work of independent media and anti-corruption initiatives. They have virtually stopped overnight.
“We will do everything we can to mitigate these decisions, but it is clear that the United Kingdom does not have the resources available to the United States,” Lemmy stressed.
US international aid: what came before
In January, the administration of US President Donald Trump froze foreign aid through USAID for three months to conduct reviews of the feasibility of allocating funds to various programs. Ukraine was also affected by this decision, in particular, the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
Reuters reported that the Trump administration is cutting USAID staff by a factor of 30. Only 294 agency employees will keep their jobs.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stressed that Washington will not completely stop all international aid. However, it should advance US national interests, not be charity, he added.
