The U.S. 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 media platform X, Mr. Rubio stated: "After six weeks of deliberation, we are officially canceling 83% of USAID programs. A total of 5,200 contracts have been terminated, due to the expenditure of tens of billions of dollars without serving core US interests, and some even having 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. This decision deals another blow to USAID, which has already been significantly weakened after a large portion of its staff were suspended or laid off starting in January 2025.

Secretary of State Rubio also thanked the Department for Government Effectiveness (DOGE), an agency established with the support of billionaire Elon Musk. Musk responded that reforming USAID was "a difficult but necessary decision."

In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all foreign aid for 90 days to reassess the effectiveness of 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 a waste of resources that does not directly serve national interests. However, opponents of the cuts argue that USAID aid programs play a vital role in promoting global stability, improving healthcare , and enhancing America's standing on the international stage.

Washington's decision has drawn attention from many international organizations. The cuts to USAID could seriously impact humanitarian aid 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