USAID: Trump pauses US development aid
President Donald Trump has effectively frozen US development aid. Most of the staff at the government agency USAID have been placed on leave, its website has been closed for maintenance and payments have been suspended for 90 days. During this time the agency's programmes are to be reviewed, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been appointed by Trump as its acting director. The media examine the repercussions.
US shooting itself in the foot
Gazeta Wyborcza criticises:
“The much-discussed US decision to cut foreign aid is rather short-sighted. Apart from the fact that it is simply inhumane (as demonstrated by the threat to halt the distribution of HIV drugs in Africa, among other things, which was thankfully blocked by Rubio), such steps also weaken America's position. They show that it is an unstable partner that cannot be fully relied upon. And humanitarian aid and development assistance have also long been a key policy instrument.”
Russia and China waiting in the wings
Development aid is more than just a money matter, the Frankfurter Rundschau explains:
“It is also structural aid that stabilises countries, protects them from extremism and curbs terror. Hence it's not just regional support but also a contribution to greater security worldwide, including in the US. And if that's not enough for the White House boss, it also impacts the economy. War, refugees and terror damage trade routes and impede access to raw materials – even Trump can't drill everything the US needs out of the country's own soil. What's more, many countries won't wait for Trump to finally grant his support after they agree to some sort of blackmailing deal. The US's competitors China and Russia are already waiting in the wings.”
Danger of destabilisation in Ukraine
Romanian sociologist Gelu Duminică outlines the potential consequences for Ukraine in republica.ro:
“The decision to halt the USAID programmes – which also means ending aid to Ukraine – must be seen in the light of the decision to suspend military aid for the country. In other words, Ukraine now not only lacks the funds to stand up to Russia on the battlefield but also has its back to the wall in relation to its own citizens, who will become increasingly disgruntled if the state is unable to pay salaries and provide minimum services. ... This will increase the number of those who, due to a lack of help from the West, seek solace in the arms of the 'big brother' in the East.”
Storm in a teacup
US-based journalist Stanislav Kucher remains optimistic in a Telegram post picked up by Echo:
“My prediction: everyone will be scared, everything will be shaken up, but even if USAID is formally closed down, it will soon be reopened. Trump will not make such a gift to China and Russia, and if he does (which I don't think he will), this will be the first step towards his impeachment.”