“As the Trump administration presides over an unprecedented retreat from global leadership, China has filled the void left by the United States’ absence, tightening its influence over the world’s fastest growing economies and undercutting American businesses’ ability to fairly compete in emerging markets. Actions such as the dismantling of USAID have left the United States with fewer tools to counter these trends and advance our strategic interests.
“I applaud the dedicated staff who supported U.S. efforts to save lives, promote democracy, counter poverty, and foster stability overseas. I will continue to champion this work and broader U.S. global leadership, which is critical to protecting our national security. Cutting foreign assistance has not saved the taxpayer money, balanced the budget, or made us safer, stronger, or more prosperous. Instead, it has pushed countless countries closer to China and left the United States weaker and more isolated than when President Trump assumed office.”
