The sudden closure of the US’ foreign aid agency offers China opportunities to grow its soft power in the Global South, Chinese officials say, while warning that Beijing’s influence should not be overestimated.
Advertisement
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington’s principal agency for global humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
The USAID website is offline and hundreds of senior staff have been put on leave, leaving grants in jeopardy amid a cost-cutting campaign driven by billionaire Elon Musk. The agency’s closure was temporarily halted by a federal judge’s order but its long-term future remains uncertain.
Beijing has not commented on the drama in Washington but a handful of Chinese officials in central government agencies related to foreign aid, commerce and economics said it was an opportunity for Beijing to grow its influence abroad.
“The retreat of USAID will benefit Beijing in promoting its image and building up its footprint in the developing world,” an economic official said, declining to be named because he was not allowed to speak to the media.
Advertisement
An aid official agreed, saying Beijing would gain room to project its influence if USAID ceased to exist.