State Department. Photo: AP
Donald Trump’s administration is considering radical budget cuts: according to a new document, spending on the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) could be reduced by almost 50%.
This was reported by Politico, referring to the budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, which was made available to journalists.
The draft bill calls for a reduction in funding to $28.4 billion, down from $54.4 billion in the 2025 budget. This reduction reflects Trump’s strategy of cutting government spending, which is being promoted by the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The cuts are also linked to the actual dismantling of USAID. A number of the agency’s programmes are already under the control of the State Department, which leads to the curtailment of initiatives to promote democracy, educational and cultural exchanges, international health, the fight against drug trafficking, and support for multilateral organisations.
Analysts warn that such a move could have serious geopolitical consequences, weakening US influence in the world and opening up space for authoritarian regimes.
