Breaking News: U.S. Secretary of State Rubio announced that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially ceased operations.
[Witty] Comment: The cessation of USAID's operations is a benefit for China, but it presents both pros and cons for the United States.
Pros: Saving approximately $50 billion in annual budget, reducing financial burden, aligning with the "America First" policy, cutting institutions accused of being a "Democratic money laundering machine" or funding far-left movements, and combating corruption and inefficiency. The government streamlining promoted by Trump may reshape resource allocation and focus on the core interests of the United States.
Cons: Closing USAID will severely impact America's soft power, weakening its aid network in over 100 countries, possibly leading to loss of geopolitical influence. Democrats criticize this move as a serious mistake in foreign policy, which might cause developing countries to shift to other camps, such as China. The Department of State only takes over 18% of the projects, with limited management capacity, which could lead to an aid vacuum in the short term, damaging America's global image and the cornerstone of its national security strategy. In the long run, restructuring might optimize efficiency, but excessive cuts could lead to strategic imbalance.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836486104786055/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.