International assistance makes America stronger at home and abroad, ensuring we remain the global superpower to outcompete rivals like China, prevent threats from reaching our shores, and strengthen our own economy. Check out some of the latest fact sheets, op-eds, and other resources that highlight how investments in development and diplomacy, alongside defense, make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
U.S. international assistance is a critical component of America’s ability to lead on the world stage – giving us the eyes, ears, and relationships necessary to protect our national security, secure markets for U.S. businesses and products, and prevent global threats from reaching our shores. Shutting down these programs threatens our security and our economy and puts millions of lives at risk.
U.S. international assistance isn’t charity—it’s a strategic investment in America’s security and economic prosperity. This short primer highlights how small cost-effective programs keep diseases, migration, and narcotics from reaching our shores, help us outcompete China and other foreign rivals, and improve lives as we advance American interests.
America’s top military and diplomatic leaders agree: strategic foreign assistance is vital to national security. This collection of insights from policymakers, military officials, and bipartisan leaders underscores how U.S. development efforts deter conflict, protect American interests, and counter foreign adversaries. From economic investments to stabilizing fragile regions, these voices highlight why diplomacy and aid are essential tools alongside military strength.
U.S. international assistance is a powerful economic engine that fuels American jobs, businesses, and global competitiveness. This brief highlights the direct impact of aid cuts, showing how they disrupt industries, shrink export markets, and put American workers at risk. With over 80% of USAID contracts benefiting U.S. companies, these investments drive $28.9 billion in economic activity, support farmers, manufacturers, and researchers, and keep American supply chains strong. Slashing aid doesn’t just hurt communities abroad—it undermines U.S. economic strength and global leadership.
In the face of increasing global threats and competition, if America doesn’t lead, China will. International assistance and diplomacy are critical tools in counteracting China’s rapidly expanding influence and soft power initiatives by helping strengthen American relationships in strategic regions and advance our interests around the world.
“Gutting U.S. international assistance infrastructure will not help the American people win the battle for the 21st century. Instead, we are seeing significant unintended damage from the abrupt and chaotic dismantling of programs, which will ultimately put America at a disadvantage to our rivals. These actions undermine Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s doctrine that every dollar we spend should make America safer, stronger and more prosperous. We need to play both offense and defense to advance a “peace through strength” agenda to outcompete rivals like China; prevent costly wars; and stop disease, drugs and terror from reaching our borders. Withdrawing from America’s leadership role on the global playing field risks leaving a void for our adversaries to fill.”
“Maintaining our role as the world’s superpower is essential for protecting our people and sustaining a strong U.S. economy. The link between international assistance and national strength is clear: Scaling back on aid potentially weakens our global credibility and national security. Without strategic investments, we risk losing valuable economic opportunities. For instance, we could lose an estimated $3.34 billion in direct economic benefits if we cut foreign assistance programs. These programs advance U.S. national security and promote American industries, such as agriculture. American farmers stand to lose nearly $2.1 billion annually if the federal government ceases purchasing crops to fulfill global aid needs… Less than 1% of the federal budget is required to sustain these critical international aid programs. This is not just funneling out American resources; rather, it’s a smart investment.”
“I first came to Congress more than a decade ago to shock the system—a mandate to find and eliminate every possible cent of government excess that failed to deliver value to the economic and national security of the United States. At the very top of my list was foreign aid, which I considered a reckless extravagance that blew precious American tax dollars on vanity projects. I was wrong. It was only after my first foreign congressional delegation trips to Africa and Latin America that I understood that foreign assistance, when structured and deployed correctly, is a uniquely powerful soft diplomacy tool to strengthen the nation’s economy and national security… by projecting American leadership in a sometimes fractured world, broadening and deepening political alliances and bilateral trade, and countering the influence of our adversaries and other malign actors who mean to do us harm.”
“What USAID does is not charity. While its actions almost always have humanitarian benefit, ultimately the agency is all about helping the men and women of the Departments of Defense and State do their jobs and get home safely. Defense, diplomacy, and development — the “three Ds” — work best together… If you want to try to save money by cutting USAID, you will only end up spending more on costly Pentagon programs. Like smart preventative medicine, the work of USAID nips problems in the bud before they need very expensive major surgery.”
“To hack apart this vital arm of American soft power like a side of beef without a proper assessment of the harm it will do will diminish our standing in the world over the long term—and it will also rob our military of critical partners the next time we need them in tough situations.”
“During Donald Trump’s first term, I served on the National Security Council and witnessed the president’s dedication to putting America first. What I see from his second term is a commitment to make good on that promise by eliminating spending that does not advance America’s national interest. The administration is right—there is waste within the U.S. foreign aid system, and it should be eliminated. Aligning foreign aid with U.S. interests is common sense. But I’m concerned that we are weakening our status as a world leader by pulling the plug on critical programs that make us strong in the face of foreign adversaries who wish to undermine our influence… Continuing the fight to rid the world of malaria is critical to our safety, security, and prosperity.”
“In China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, we’re witnessing the rise of authoritarian adversaries who work together to challenge the United States in unprecedented ways. They seek to not just compete with us but to attack and undermine the foundations of free societies altogether. NED isn’t a “democracy is good” bumper sticker. It’s an agile institution doing the long-haul work of advancing American interests toward a more democratic, stable, and prosperous world.“
“[The] freeze on foreign assistance programs and the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development will substantially impact our national security. Foreign military assistance to Taiwan has been suspended while China’s saber-rattling has intensified. Counterterrorism and anti-ISIS programs have been placed on hold. Civilian programs in Central and South America that combat transnational criminal organizations and drug trafficking have been halted. Active U.S. programs that prevent, detect and respond to biosecurity threats have been suspended. Demining programs have also been stopped globally. Critical food and medical aid has been halted in areas experiencing famine. […] This hatchet approach to virtually all foreign assistance programs serves only to bolster the impact of Chinese and Russian influence in regions around the world.”
“Providing food for hungry people also gives vital support to U.S. farmers. Farmers can sell excess crops to the U.S. government, supporting families facing famine or severe malnutrition in places where food supplies cannot be purchased or sourced locally. These programs sustain tens of thousands of American jobs across the entire supply chain… Food supplies purchased from American farmers are at risk of waste or loss in warehouses in Ethiopia, where thousands of severely malnourished children could face starvation. A program we lead that provides more than 400,000 polio vaccinations every month in African countries has been paused, putting millions of children at risk of death and disability… As American Christians, our legacy of service to the most vulnerable shines brightly. I pray that in this moment we can look at those in need — both in the United States and around the world — with both our eyes and our hearts open.”
“Stable governments and healthier populations are less likely to become hotbeds for conflict and extremism. By fostering economic development, USAID directly contributes to global stability, which in turn supports U.S. strategic and security objectives. Conversely, retreating from development initiatives leaves space for global rivals to assert themselves. Other powers—particularly those with competing worldviews—may step in, expanding their influence at America’s expense.”
“From its beginning, U.S. development aid has been designed to advance U.S. interests by promoting market access, innovation and business opportunities; creating a level playing field for U.S. businesses; and supporting more democratic and resilient governance abroad. International development is rooted in America’s greatness and goodness, and American strength is central to world peace… Reagan, a staunch conservative, was initially skeptical of foreign aid. However, as his time in the White House broadened his hands-on experience in international policy, he embraced the crucial importance of these tools.”
“As we witness a rapid escalation of global authoritarianism, attacks against democracy, economic uncertainties and the spread of deadly diseases, American leadership has never been more important… The decisions we make today will create the world of tomorrow. If we remain on this course of abandoning foreign assistance, that world will be run by China and our adversaries. We Americans need to know that foreign aid is not just charity or to further the interests of other countries but a way of enhancing America’s national security and influence within the international community. Building up our soft power is an asset. With U.S. Aid programs, we are building good will and admiration for the United States around the world… The importance of American foreign assistance cannot be overstated.”
“Although America still needs a powerful foreign assistance tool in its arsenal to combat malign influence from China and others, solve the migration crisis and bring prosperity to the homeland, it is clear the president has lost faith in the institution. But the institution itself is not what’s important; it’s ensuring that these efforts overseas continue to make America safer, stronger and more prosperous. Reforms are essential to ensure this happens… If done well, however, foreign assistance can be an effective and powerful tool that America needs to advance President Trump’s agenda.”
“Repressive regimes have failed to block the agency’s promotion of freedom around the world. Doing so ourselves could have drastic consequences… Ending the Agency for Global Media is not the answer. We must restore the USAGM to its intended purpose: a soft-power tool that promotes America’s national security interests… Reform, not elimination, is the right way forward to protect our national security.”
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