Photo: Marko Djurica/ Reuters
Donald Trump’s administration is considering a large-scale reduction in the US diplomatic presence around the world. According to internal State Department documents published by CNN and Reuters, about 30 embassies and consulates are planned to be closed, mainly in Europe and Africa.
Among the countries that may lose their US diplomatic missions are Malta, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, as well as South Africa, Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Iraq, Somalia and South Korea.
“The cuts will affect institutions with low workloads, high costs and outdated infrastructure,” the document says.
Among the main initiators of this plan is Elon Musk, who heads the newly created government agency DOGE and works closely with Donald Trump. Musk has been promoting a policy of radical cuts in government spending, including by closing offices, cutting programmes and massive layoffs among civil servants.
Under attack:
- 5 consulates in France
- 2 – in Germany
- 2 – in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 1 – in the UK
- Embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Congo, CAR and South Sudan
- Consulate in South Korea
- Reduction of offices in Somalia and Iraq
Analysts warn that the closure of diplomatic missions could weaken the US position in the international arena, particularly in conflict regions.
