(CLO) Hundreds of diplomats from the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to protest the dissolution of USAID.
The letter, which is expected to be sent through the State Department’s internal “dissent channel,” stresses that the Trump administration’s decision to freeze nearly all foreign aid on January 20 not only endangers American diplomats and troops abroad but also threatens the lives of millions of people who depend on US aid.
Former USAID employees pack up personal belongings at the agency's headquarters in Washington on February 27. Photo: GI
More than 700 people signed the letter, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Freezing and terminating foreign aid contracts without any meaningful review threatens partnerships with key allies, erodes trust, and creates opportunities for adversaries to gain influence,” the letter said.
“Foreign aid is not an act of charity. Instead, it is a strategic tool to help stabilize the region, prevent conflict, and advance American interests,” the letter stressed.
President Trump, who has pursued an “America First” policy, ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid upon returning to the White House on January 20. The decision has halted USAID operations around the world, jeopardizing the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and disrupting global humanitarian relief efforts.
In fiscal year 2023, the US spent $72 billion in global aid, supporting everything from women's health care in conflict zones, access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatment, to energy security and anti-corruption.
However, after reviewing 6,200 contracts, the Trump administration decided to eliminate nearly 5,800 contracts, worth a total of $54 billion, equivalent to 92% of the aid budget. Thousands of USAID employees and contractors were fired or laid off.
The letter also criticized the US government for failing to pay outstanding bills to contractors and partners implementing the program, causing serious economic consequences.
“Delayed payments not only undermine confidence in the US government as a reliable partner, but also undermine domestic economic growth in a context of increasing global competition,” the letter warned.
Last month, organizations and companies that contracted with USAID filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the agency’s dissolution was unlawful and demanding that funding for existing contracts, including hundreds of millions of dollars for work already completed, be restored.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold payments to foreign aid organizations, affirming a district judge’s earlier ruling that required the government to immediately release the money to contractors.
Cao Phong (according to AJ, NYT, Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hang-tram-nha-ngoai-giao-my-gui-thu-phan-doi-viec-giai-the-usaid-post337286.html
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