Donald Trump recently paused all USAID funding as part of the Republican Party’s attempt to put “America First” by obliterating any sort of soft power or influence America has on the global stage. This will undoubtedly cause great suffering, as those who have benefited from USAID will suffer from its absence, however, it is important to acknowledge the dark side of the agency.
It is undeniable that USAID is not an organisation borne out of the bleeding hearts of American politicians who deeply care about the poor and huddled masses of the world. USAID is used to further American interests which often come in conflict with human rights. In Uruguay, Dan Mitrione, an employee of USAID taught Uruguayan police officers how to torture prisoners, with torture becoming routine in use against prisoners after Mitrione’s instruction. USAID has also been used in an attempt to instigate uprisings against the Cuban Government. Aid is conditional and thus, used as a political weapon, with USAID ceasing their operations and funding in Yemen after the Yemeni ambassador to the UN voted against the Gulf War.
Clearly, the only reason an organisation such as USAID exists is to further American interests, something that Trump and his acolytes are too pig-headed to realise as they continue on their crusade of inadvertently dismantling the US Empire in their idiotic attempt to strengthen it. All they know is the hard power of hawkish invasion threats, military spending and fancy rockets, and, as a result, they are ignorant of the complexities of soft power, with Trump even withdrawing from the WHO. China swept upon this opportunity and vowed to support the WHO; this is a clear victory for China and a loss for America on the global stage, no doubt China will step in to fill the gap left by USAID’s disintegration.
One question to ask is how big a blow this represents regarding America’s ability to influence other countries. Undeniably America has a long and storied history of meddling in other countries’ affairs, stretching back to before USAID came into being. Whilst it was oftentimes used to provide cover for this meddling, it is unlikely that American interference will be altogether stopped due to the suspension of funding.
If Trump really wanted to put “America First,” he would continue to fund USAID. Its absence is yet another crack in America’s status as global hegemon.
“March 8-12: USAID Funded Samaritan’s Purse Continues Post Tsunami Assistance” by US Embassy New Zealand is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.