USA plan drastic reductions: Dispute closures of messages!

USA plan drastic reductions: Dispute closures of messages!

The US government is planning significant cuts in the Foreign Ministry budget for 2026. According to reports from the "New York Times" and the "Washington Post", a budget of just $ 28.4 billion (approx. 25.2 billion euros) is being discussed for the coming year. This corresponds to a decline of $ 26 billion or 48 percent compared to the previous year 2025, such as Kleine Zeitung reported.

The consequences of these drastic budget cuts would be far -reaching. Planned closures include ten messages and 17 consulates, including the US general consulates in Düsseldorf and Leipzig. Possible deletions are also planned in France, with five foreign representations, including Strasbourg and Lyon. Further closures could take place in Italy, Scotland, Luxembourg, Malta, Eritrea and South Sudan. These measures suggest that the United States want to focus more on internal affairs and reduce international obligations.

influence on international organizations

The possible cuts could also affect the education initiatives. The Fulbright scholarship, an important US funding program for international exchange, could be negatively influenced by the changes. The US graduate association AFSA expressed sharp criticism of the suggestions and described them as "dangerous". Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized that the plans were not final, and it remains unclear whether Foreign Minister Marco Rubio has given a permit for the suggestions.

Development aid in focus

The considerations for budget shortening are part of a more extensive austerity policy under President Donald Trump. Under his administration, the development aid organization USAID was de facto dissolved, which led to a deletion of 83 percent of its programs, which in accordance with Zeit about 54 billion dollar (approx. 52 Billions of euros). This drastic reduction already has dramatic effects on worldwide aid programs and affects particularly initiatives to combat infectious diseases.

reports on a possible blockage of payment obligations of $ 2 billion for aid deliveries, in particular medication and food, have further increased concern for international humanitarian aid. The Supreme Court of the United States has extended a deadline for the release of these frozen funds indefinitely, which continues to complicate the situation.

in a climate conducted by Trump, in which agencies such as USA are perceived as ineffective and superfluous, it remains to be seen which concrete effects the budget cuts will have on the worldwide diplomacy in the United States.