International assistance cuts are hurting Oklahoma’s trade and economic future – The Norman Transcript

April 17, 2025 | Dr. James Collard, Director of Planning, Economic, and Industrial Development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Veteran, Chair of Oklahoma’s International Trade and Investment Committee, and Past Chair of Global Oklahoma.

“Reductions in foreign assistance programs aren’t just numbers on a federal budget. They are felt directly on Oklahoma’s Main Streets and in our Native American Communities through lost trade opportunities, diminished foreign investment and weakened partnerships that take years to cultivate but can be lost in an instant. International assistance cuts are making it harder for companies in Oklahoma to reach growing markets. As the U.S. reduces its support for economic development and diplomacy, competing countries, including China, are filling the void. International assistance is an investment in our economic future.”