Leaders | Scorn thy neighbour

By cutting off assistance to foreigners, America hurts itself

Donald Trump’s chaotic aid freeze makes his country weaker

Officials from USAID and WFP inspect food aid in Harare, Zimbabwe
Photograph: AP

FOREIGN AID is easy to decry. Money is often wasted or stolen. Its benefits are hard to see. And giving money to foreigners means less for voters at home. That makes it an ideal target for the America First president, Donald Trump.

Explore more

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Scorn thy neighbour”

From the February 1st 2025 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Leaders

A metal lighter with "TAXES US. Department of state engraved", symbolising financial burden

Despite fears of a global tax war, Donald Trump has a chance to make peace

A global minimum tax on companies ought to be acceptable to America

An employee works inside a nuclear facility in Isfahan, Iran

How to use “maximum pressure” to stop an Iranian bomb

The Islamic Republic is closer than ever to obtaining nukes


Around the world, an anti-red-tape revolution is taking hold

Done right, deregulation could kick-start economic growth


The real meaning of the DeepSeek drama

The Chinese model-maker has panicked investors. But it is good for the users of AI

Rwanda does a Putin in Congo

To understand the seizure of Goma, consider a parallel with Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer should aim higher in his reset with the EU

And he needs to be clearer about what Britain wants