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A new round of cuts issued over the last weekend reportedly included lifesaving humanitarian and food assistance — despite earlier indications that such programs would be spared. The World Food Programme described the potential impact as a “death sentence for millions.” Within days, officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development reversed course on several terminations, citing errors and issuing a written apology.
The confusion has cast doubt on the integrity of the data submitted to Congress during the initial aid review. According to Devex reporting, some implementing partners say key program details were inaccurately reported, and internal State Department data appears to list dozens of programs as both “terminated” and “active.”
While U.S. aid decisions dominate headlines, European donors are quietly weighing how to respond. Officially, European Union leaders have dismissed the idea of filling funding gaps left by the United States. But as Devex Business Editor David Ainsworth explains, internal conversations suggest concern that reduced U.S. engagement could have direct consequences for European interests, particularly around migration and regional stability.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered additional insight into the administration’s foreign aid stance during a recent appearance on a podcast hosted by Donald Trump Jr., Rubio reiterated his view that American assistance has strayed from its core security objectives and signaled support for reorienting aid to align more closely with U.S. strategic priorities.
To unpack these developments and what they may signal for the future of U.S. and global development assistance, Devex Senior Reporter Adva Saldinger is joined by Global Development Reporter Elissa Miolene and Business Editor David Ainsworth on This Week in Global Development.
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