Washington Think Tank Urges Trump to Restore US Aid Programmes

Scholars at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) have urged the Trump administration to restore US aid programmes to developing countries, arguing that such aid strengthens democracy, counters China's influence, and ensures US security. In a paper published on 15 May, Lisa Curtis, Kareen Hart, and Keerthi Martyn stated that the Trump administration's January 2025 decision to cut nearly all US foreign assistance removed a key tool to compete with the People's Republic of China. They argued that China's Belt and Road Initiative fosters authoritarianism through non-transparent deals, and that US aid can help vulnerable nations choose transparent development. The scholars emphasized that supporting democracy overseas is both a values-based goal and a national security objective.

Scholars at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) have urged the Trump administration to restore US aid programmes to developing countries, arguing that such aid strengthens democracy, counters China's influence, and ensures US security. In a paper published on 15 May, Lisa Curtis, Kareen Hart, and Keerthi Martyn stated that the Trump administration's January 2025 decision to cut nearly all US foreign assistance removed a key tool to compete with the People's Republic of China. They argued that China's Belt and Road Initiative fosters authoritarianism through non-transparent deals, and that US aid can help vulnerable nations choose transparent development. The scholars emphasized that supporting democracy overseas is both a values-based goal and a national security objective.

Scholars at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) have urged the Trump administration to restore US aid programmes to developing countries, arguing that such aid strengthens democracy, counters China's influence, and ensures US security. In a paper published on 15 May, Lisa Curtis, Kareen Hart, and Keerthi Martyn stated that the Trump administration's January 2025 decision to cut nearly all US foreign assistance removed a key tool to compete with the People's Republic of China. They argued that China's Belt and Road Initiative fosters authoritarianism through non-transparent deals, and that US aid can help vulnerable nations choose transparent development. The scholars emphasized that supporting democracy overseas is both a values-based goal and a national security objective.

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