Trump to Shutdown U.S. Foreign Aid

In a significant policy shift, the United States of America President Donald Trump has initiated steps to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an independent agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance since 1961.

This move has sparked heated debates in the U.S. and growing concerns internationally, particularly in developing nations reliant on U.S. aid.

The administration’s decision follows a 90-day suspension of nearly all U.S. foreign aid, part of Trump’s push to realign assistance programs with his “America First” policy.

This has led to the termination of numerous programs and job layoffs worldwide, affecting initiatives such as HIV/AIDS treatment, education for Afghan schoolgirls, and Ebola outbreak monitoring.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assumed the role of acting administrator of USAID, with significant authority delegated to Peter Marocco, a Trump appointee known for advocating controversial program cuts. The restructuring has faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that dismantling USAID undermines America’s global humanitarian leadership.

While Fiji is not a major direct recipient of U.S. foreign aid compared to other regions, the ripple effects of this decision could still be significant. U.S. aid indirectly supports many Pacific Island programs through regional health initiatives, disaster resilience projects, and climate change adaptation efforts.

Fiji has benefited from U.S.-funded programs focused on disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and public health. The shutdown of USAID could jeopardize regional partnerships that contribute to Fiji’s capacity to respond to natural disasters, manage environmental challenges, and improve public health systems.