President Trump has canceled 83% of USAID funding, affecting Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are expected to lose millions in aid. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the decision was made after evaluating the necessity of the funds for American interests and addressing potential misuse.
In a significant decision, U.S. President Donald Trump has communicated the cancellation of nearly all funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), stating that no funds will be allocated. This move is expected to impact countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which previously received substantial financial assistance from USAID, averaging millions annually.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that after a six-week review, the U.S. will terminate 83% of its USAID programs, affecting around 5,200 contracts worldwide that cumulatively cost billions. Rubio detailed that the funding was deemed unnecessary for America’s core national interests, emphasizing that some money was being utilized against U.S. interests.
Going forward, the U.S. plans to maintain only those programs that also provide benefits to the nation. Rubio indicated that discussions with Congress would determine the continuation of the remaining 18% of programs, which will encompass approximately 1,000 initiatives strictly aligned with U.S. interests. The efforts to identify funding loopholes to prevent misuse were attributed to the DOGE team.
Countries like Bangladesh previously benefitted from $440 million, while Pakistan received $231 million and Sri Lanka $123 million under USAID. The termination of this aid will lead to numerous projects being halted, with allegations of a portion of these funds previously allocated for anti-India initiatives in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The recent cancellation of the majority of USAID funding symbolizes a shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, concentrating on programs that align directly with American interests. This decision is poised to create significant implications for Pakistan and Bangladesh, where vital initiatives are likely to face interruption due to a lack of funding. The U.S. government is focusing on controlling how taxpayer money is distributed in order to avoid misuse and ensure that it serves responsive geopolitical strategies.
Original Source: www.india.com
