US may close dozens of embassies worldwide
US Department of State (Photo: Getty Images)
The Trump administration is considering asking Congress to reduce the budgets of the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) by nearly half. This is part of efforts to sharply cut government spending, according to Politico.
The proposal for the 2026 fiscal year calls for $28.4 billion to be allocated to the State Department and USAID, compared to $54.4 billion in the approved budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
The proposal suggests the elimination or significant reduction of numerous programs, including those that promote democracy, support educational and cultural exchanges, assist multinational institutions, fight drug trafficking, and address healthcare issues abroad.
According to two sources from the agency, the Trump administration is considering the closure of up to three dozen US diplomatic missions worldwide as part of a broader effort to reduce the diplomatic budget. This could affect US embassies in Southern Africa and the Sahel, consulates in Europe, and several embassies in Oceania.
The budget document also mentions that approximately $2.1 billion will be allocated to a new program called the America First Opportunities Fund. However, the document does not clarify what this program will entail.
It is unclear how far this proposal will go, the publication notes. It is possible that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will insist, despite the Budget Office's requests, on maintaining some of these programs.
Washington is reviewing its international aid strategy. The US State Department has announced the reorganization of USAID, which is set to be completed by July 2025. The US State Department and USAID have informed Congress of their intention to carry out a reorganization, which would transfer certain functions of USAID to the Department of State by July 1, 2025, and discontinue other functions of USAID that do not align with the administration's priorities.
