Page 27 - IB February 2025

Analysis

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) then-Administrator, Samantha Power, meets fishers in Fiji in 2023. Photo: Boss Communication Agency for
USAID

TRUMP’S FOREIGN AID FREEZE

WHO WILL STEP IN FOR THE PACIFIC?

By Aisha Azeemah So while the intention to tighten aid was no surprise, the
speed and nature of action on USAID did surprise many in the
Programs addressing domestic violence, renewable energy, sector, as did the vitriol directed as its work and staffers.
literacy, hospital infrastructure, fisheries management, media The Presidential advisor charged with slashing government
capacity building, transport and infrastructure, and health costs, billionaire businessman Elon Musk has described USAID
procurement are amongst the many Pacific initiatives that as a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America,”
have ground to a halt as the new US government takes stock and an agency that was “beyond repair”.
of its international aid commitments. On January 20th, just days into his second term, President
With millions of lives across the world affected by a single Trump put a temporary freeze on all foreign aid.
decision, it comes as no surprise that United States President This pause allows for reassessment of each program the US
Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14169 has been met with was funding abroad, to ensure it “aligned with the foreign
global controversy and criticism. policy of the President of the United States.”
However on the ground, few partners are willing to talk, as In announcing the pause and its rationale, US State
they watch and wait to see if their programs will survive. Department officials cited a Pacific Community (SPC)-led
program aimed at giving “clean energy programs for women in
Foreign aid only for friends Fiji” as an example of aid that failed to meet the criteria of
Trump’s “America First” promise appealed to many strengthening US interests.
Republican voters during his 2024 election campaign. Trump Hundreds of programs and organisations across the
promised to redirect government funds to domestic priorities Pacific Islands are affected by the pause. The region
over international commitments. received US$57.6 million in assistance from the US in 2023,

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