The US State Department has announced an immediate freeze on nearly all foreign assistance worldwide, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday. The order mandates a 90-day review of foreign aid programs to ensure alignment with Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a cable sent to US diplomatic posts on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the directive, which halts ongoing aid projects and pauses new funding from the State Department and USAID. The move, affecting billions of dollars, has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian officials, who warn of severe disruptions to global health and stability.
Exceptions to the freeze include emergency food assistance and foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt, though the cable is silent on funding for other nations like Ukraine or Taiwan. The administration has justified the move by arguing that current foreign aid practices often clash with American interests and values.
Humanitarian experts caution that the freeze could undermine global health initiatives, including pandemic prevention efforts, which have historically enjoyed bipartisan support. With the US being the largest humanitarian donor worldwide, the suspension could have dire consequences for vulnerable populations.
