US aid programmes frozen worldwide after Trump orders major review on foreign spending
WATCH: Matt Goodwin asks if Britain should reduce foreign aid and follow in America's footsteps
GB News
US foreign development funding has been frozen after Donald Trump ordered a major review on foreign spending.
Just hours after the start of his presidency, Trump issued an executive order for a 90-day pause in US-funded aid programmes pending a review of their efficiency and to see if they are in line with his foreign policy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s directive excludes aid for emergency food programmes and military funding to Israel and Egypt.
However, it is unknown if it will affect the flow of US military assistance to help Ukraine’s war effort against Russia.
Trump issued an executive order for a 90-day pause in US-funded aid programmes
Reuters
Joe Biden’s administration increased military aid to Ukraine over doubts that Trump would continue helping the country once he took office.
Around £3billion in funding for arms shipments to Ukraine remains, but it’s unknown if Trump will decide to use it or not.
Around 1 per cent (£48billion) of the US budget in 2023 went to foreign aid - more than any country around the world spends on this.
The allowance of emergency food aid comes as humanitarian assistance has been increased in Gaza following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and amid famine in Sudan.
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However, the order has received backlash from critics because it did not exclude life-saving health programs such as clinics and immunisation programmes.
The head of Oxfam America, Abby Maxman, said suspending funding "could have life or death consequences" for people around the world.
She said: "By suspending foreign development assistance, the Trump administration is threatening the lives and futures of communities in crisis."
She added that this move abandoned America's long-held bipartisan approach to helping people based on need, regardless of politics.
The government review is expected to take around three months and a report will be produced for Rubio to advise Trump
GETTYThe order, which was delivered in a cable to US embassies around the world, said the pause was needed to ensure "appropriations are not duplicated, are effective, and are consistent with President Trump's foreign policy".
The Government review is expected to take around three months and a report will be produced for Rubio to advise Trump.
The outcome is set to be significant for countries that rely on foreign aid from the US.
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