Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday the official end of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as the central foreign aid agency.
In a published statement On the State Department website, Rubio highlighted that the Trump administration’s review showed that USAID did not meet the “standard” of advancing “our nation’s interests.”
“Development goals have rarely been met, instability has frequently worsened, and anti-American sentiment has only grown,” he added. The official emphasized that “this era of inefficiency” has officially come to an end and that, as of July 1, USAID “will officially cease implementing foreign assistance.”
Rubio stated that foreign assistance programs that align with government policies and “promote the interests” of the United States will now be administered by the State Department.
The Secretary of State criticized USAID for promoting its programs as a so-called “charity” rather than as instruments to benefit U.S. foreign policy and advance “our national interests.”
According to the US official, the country’s “aid” will now be “targeted and time-limited,” aimed at areas where they can “catalyze sustainable private sector investment, including US companies, and global investment.” He also asserted that with this model, they seek to promote their strategic interests in key regions around the world.
Last January, Trump signed an executive order suspending development aid programs for other countries for 90 days to review whether they were consistent with U.S. foreign policy. Then, on February 3, The president appointed Rubio as interim administrator of USAID. amid a controversy over the distortion in the agency’s operation and the financing of organizations that do not fulfill their purpose.
In March, The Government decided to formally dissolve USAID and informed Congress. that their functions would be transferred to the State Department or terminated if they do not align with President Trump’s policies.
