If the Trump administration really wants to focus the United States’ development and foreign affairs efforts on “trade, not aid,” it would be wise to continue funding a broad range of investments in agriculture and resilient food systems abroad.
That was the consensus from a panel of three food and agriculture assistance experts at a Monday Devex Pro Briefing on the future of U.S. food and agricultural aid.
A “trade, not aid” approach would see the U.S. prioritizing business partnerships over traditional foreign assistance, particularly in Africa. Yet cutting funding for agricultural development programs undermines this goal as a thriving agriculture sector relies on functional infrastructure, research, and innovation.