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Opinion
How Trump’s hobbling of USAID cedes Southeast Asia to Chinese influence
The Trump administration’s ‘America first’ focus lets China fill the vacuum in Southeast Asia and set the rules for engagement in the region
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James Borton is a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University's Foreign Policy Institute.
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze international assistance and gut federal agencies has sent shock waves across the globe, with profound implications for Southeast Asia. One of the most significant consequences is the shuttering of United States Agency for International Development programmes, a move that threatens to disrupt humanitarian aid, development initiatives and disaster relief efforts across the Greater Mekong region.
Since its establishment in 1961 by US president John F. Kennedy, USAID has been a cornerstone of US global engagement. The agency promotes sustainable development, reduces poverty and fosters stability in developing nations while advancing economic growth and social progress as a key instrument of US foreign policy.
In 2023, the United States remained the world’s largest provider of foreign aid, allocating nearly US$68 billion to support humanitarian efforts and security initiatives. However, within just a week of assuming office, the Trump administration abruptly froze all foreign assistance, sending a shudder through international aid communities and foreign governments alike. The sudden withdrawal of USAID funding raises critical concerns about the long-term impact on regional development, governance and security in Southeast Asia.
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