The US has 'officially canceled 83%' of USAID programs

(CLO) The US government has decided to cancel 83% of programs under the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that this is a necessary step to eliminate ineffective spending.

On March 10, 2025, on social network X, Mr. Rubio said: "After 6 weeks of consideration, we officially canceled 83% of USAID programs. A total of 5,200 contracts were terminated, because they cost tens of billions of dollars but did not serve the core interests of the US, and some even had negative impacts."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: X

In addition, the remaining 1,000 USAID programs will be transferred to the State Department for management, a further blow to USAID, which has been significantly weakened after the majority of its staff were suspended or laid off since January 2025.

Secretary Rubio also thanked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency founded with the support of billionaire Elon Musk. Musk responded that the USAID overhaul was “a difficult but necessary decision.”

In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending all foreign aid for 90 days while he reviewed the effectiveness of his spending. USAID was one of the agencies most closely scrutinized by the Trump administration and DOGE during this process.

The Trump administration and its allies argue that foreign aid is wasteful and does not directly serve the national interest. But opponents of the cuts argue that USAID programs play a vital role in promoting global stability, improving health and enhancing America’s standing on the world stage.

Washington’s decision has drawn the attention of many international organizations. The cuts to USAID could severely impact humanitarian assistance programs in Africa and the Middle East, where USAID is a key source of funding for health, education and disaster relief projects.

Cao Phong (according to CNN, DW, Politico)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-da-chinh-thuc-huy-bo-83-cac-chuong-trinh-cua-usaid-post337945.html