President Donald Trump’s decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is not just a blow to global humanitarian efforts—it is a strategic blunder that will hurt America as much as, if not more than, the countries that have long relied on its support.
Since its establishment in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, blending American generosity with strategic interests.
What Trump and his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) base fail to grasp is that USAID has been more than just an aid agency; it has been the United States’ most effective tool of soft power, helping to maintain its global dominance.
Over the past six decades, USAID has not only lifted millions out of poverty but has also advanced America’s security and economic interests in ways that few other U.S. government initiatives have.
In 2017, USAID itself highlighted the tangible benefits of foreign aid to the U.S. economy. Many of the developing nations that received American assistance eventually became strong economic partners, opening up new markets for American products and creating demand for U.S. industries.
The agency reported that without these emerging markets, the U.S. economy would have been at risk of stagnation or even recession.
Consider this: In 2023, USAID distributed approximately $64 billion in foreign aid. While Trump sees this as an unnecessary expenditure, he overlooks the fact that America’s export market—accounting for 27% of the country’s GDP and supporting over 11 million jobs—thrives partly because of these very nations.
The aid that once fostered economic stability in recipient countries also cultivated a consumer base for American goods and services, strengthening key sectors like aviation, telecommunications, and technology.
By eliminating USAID, Trump is effectively jeopardizing America’s long-term economic growth.
One of the greatest miscalculations of this decision is the assumption that these countries will collapse without USAID.
They won’t. They will adapt, either by reallocating local resources or by turning to new allies—France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and even China.
And when they do, they will remember who abandoned them. The goodwill that the U.S. spent decades cultivating through development aid will erode, making way for other global powers to fill the void.
History has shown that power abhors a vacuum. Where America retreats, others step in.
China, in particular, has been aggressively expanding its global footprint through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), using infrastructure and economic investments to cement its influence.
Without USAID, Washington is essentially handing Beijing a golden opportunity to reshape global alliances in its favor.
Trump’s decision to dismantle USAID is not happening in isolation. His broader foreign policy approach—characterized by trade wars and economic isolationism—only compounds the damage.
By imposing tariffs on key trade partners such as China, Japan, Canada, and Mexico, he is making it even harder for the U.S. to maintain its competitive edge in global markets.
Foreign aid has long been a pillar of American diplomacy, serving as both a moral commitment and a strategic investment.
By shutting down USAID, Trump is effectively signaling to the world that America no longer values its role as a global leader. This will have lasting consequences—not just for the recipients of U.S. aid, but for America’s own economic and geopolitical future.
If the U.S. is to remain a global powerhouse, it must recognize that foreign aid is not charity; it is a strategic asset. Dismantling USAID is not an act of fiscal responsibility—it is an act of self-sabotage.
