WASHINGTON – The Trump management is poised to significantly alter its foreign aid strategy, prioritizing trade and investment over traditional assistance and potentially redirecting a substantial, though currently undisclosed, sum to counter the influence of Marxist regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, according to a Reuters report.The shift marks a departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy, framing aid not as humanitarian support but as a tool for political leverage and power projection.
This move reflects a broader structural conversion in international cooperation championed by President Trump,breaking with the conventional use of foreign aid as “soft power.” A spokesperson for the administration stated, “USA will prioritize trade on aid, the prospect on dependence and investment on assistance,” signaling a clear intent to leverage economic tools for geopolitical objectives. The plan, still unconfirmed, aims to bolster U.S. global leadership in strategic areas and address concerns like critical mineral supply chains and immigration.
The proposed reallocation of funds has already sparked debate in Congress, with some Democratic lawmakers raising concerns about diverting previously authorized funds without explicit legislative approval. Despite this opposition, the White House is reportedly seeking to swiftly consolidate its foreign policy strategy before the end of the current legislative sessions.
Beyond the focus on Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, the plan also encompasses programs to diversify critical mineral supply chains, expand investment in strategic infrastructure, and address the ongoing immigration situation at the U.S. southern border and in transit countries. Reuters reports the White House intends to use assistance as an instrument of political pressure and power projection, rather than solely as humanitarian support.
