No More Foreign Aid: Trump Administration Orders Suspension and Review

No More Foreign Aid: Trump Administration Orders Suspension and Review

Dil Bar Irshad | January 27, 2025 | 04:48 PM IST | Breaking News, Pakistan News, Politics, United States of America, World | Tags: donald trump, No More Foreign Aid | Follow on Google News

No More Foreign Aid: Trump Administration Orders Suspension and Review

Political pundits say, “Trump believes in the America-First Agenda”

In a major development, the Trump administration has announced the suspension of all foreign aid, aligning with its America-First Agenda. This decision followed an executive order signed by the newly elected President, Donald Trump.

The Trump administration has also ordered a review of American financial assistance to other countries.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the President has made it clear that the United States will no longer blindly hand out money without returns that benefit American interests. She emphasized that it is a moral imperative to review financial assistance on behalf of hardworking American taxpayers.

Bruce further added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has halted financial assistance provided by the United States through the State Department or the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

She also mentioned that the Secretary of State is committed to safeguarding American investments. Since the American people have delivered a clear mandate, the administration will focus on policies that serve American interests.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “Whatever we spend, whatever we provide, must be justified by ensuring it makes America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.”

The United States is undergoing significant changes under President Donald Trump, who recently won the presidential election. One of the administration’s first notable achievements was brokering the peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Now, the Trump administration has paused financial assistance to other countries.

Recent data shows that USAID has provided $45 billion to over 150 countries. These include Bangladesh ($400 million), India ($175 million), Sri Lanka ($123 million), Nepal ($118 million), Afghanistan ($1 billion), and Pakistan ($231 million).

Among these, Pakistan stands to be most significantly affected. The country is already grappling with economic slowdown and bankruptcy following the incarceration of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted by the military establishment.

Pakistan has traditionally received financial aid under the pretext of wars, but with Trump advocating a no-war policy, the country is likely to face significant challenges. Additionally, Pakistan heavily relies on foreign financial assistance, and surviving without it will be difficult. Recent investigative reports in Pakistan have highlighted a reduction in the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Pakistan appears to be heading toward hard times, facing challenges on multiple fronts, including political instability and regime changes, which have plunged the nation into turmoil.

In contrast, the situation in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka seems more stable.

India, on the other hand, has robust forex reserves amounting to ₹54,78,951 crore ($644.39 billion), reflecting strong economic performance.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.