Trump Orders 90-Day Halt on U.S. Foreign Aid

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days.

The suspension aims to allow a thorough review of these programs to ensure they align with the administration’s foreign policy priorities.

The order directs government agencies and departments responsible for managing U.S. foreign aid to pause any new activities and spending immediately. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been tasked with overseeing the review, which will assess how these aid programs contribute to the safety, strength, and prosperity of the United States.

The scope of the suspension and its specific impacts remain unclear. While the executive order outlines a temporary halt, much of the foreign aid funding is allocated by Congress. This raises questions about how far the directive can go, given that funds already approved may be legally obligated or in use.

This decision has raised concerns in countries that rely heavily on U.S. aid, including Tanzania. American programs like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have played crucial roles in supporting public health initiatives. These include providing antiretroviral drugs to combat HIV/AIDS, a critical issue in many developing nations.

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For President Trump, this move echoes themes from his first term, where he often criticized foreign aid as being unfairly burdensome to the U.S. In 2018, addressing the United Nations, he remarked that the United States was the largest donor of foreign aid but received little in return. During his previous presidency, he proposed significant cuts to foreign assistance and diplomacy budgets, including contributions to United Nations programs. However, Congress resisted those attempts and preserved most of the funding.

The latest suspension has sparked unease among international organizations and recipient nations. Many are left uncertain about which programs or partnerships might face cuts or delays. Aid groups worry about disruptions to critical services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects, that rely on steady U.S. funding.

As the 90-day review unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see what changes might come. If the Trump administration decides to implement long-term reductions or redirections in foreign aid, it could reshape America’s role in global development efforts.

While the directive is consistent with President Trump’s views on foreign policy, it also sets the stage for potential tensions between the White House and Congress. Lawmakers from both parties will likely weigh in, given their control over the federal budget and their interest in maintaining U.S. influence abroad.