​In September 1961, former US President John F. Kennedy signed the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which established an agency for foreign aid, the United States Administration for International Development, or the USAID. The agency was meant to improve economic, social, and political development in receiving nations, as well as encouraging soft power within the United States. However, the current Administration under President Donald Trump dismantled the Foreign Agency in early 2025. The dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development has hindered world dynamics with the American Government, and caused serious harm to global health.

The Agency helped to sustain Ukraine’s health system after Russia’s invasion, combat HIV, tuberculosis, reduce maternal and child deaths worldwide, etc. According to the United States Congress, the Foreign Aid Agency funding included $9.9 billion in Humanitarian aid, $9.5 billion in Healthcare, $6.9 billion in Governance, etc. Furthermore, the agency also divides its funds by region: a $12.3 billion budget in Sub-Saharan Africa, $6.8 billion in Europe and Eurasia, $4.2 billion in the Middle East and North Africa, etc. Critical programs helped to combat diseases, provided healthcare in warzones, and tackled childcare; a sudden cessation will and has already resulted in drastic casualties in nations that once took advantage of US Aid.  Furthermore, nations that relied on the Agency to avoid wars no longer have the resources to do so. On February 28th, 2026, United States has bombed Iran, with President Donald Trump claiming that the action was necessary for the vulnerable public of the nation. This action has led to the United States getting involved in a war with Iran, a war that could’ve easily been avoided. This war is an indirect result of the US government’s refusal to integrate soft diplomacy in their foreign policy. The diplomacy skills that the United States, as well as recipient nations relied on will no longer be accessible, and the lack of humanitarian and healthcare programmes has the potential to cause more harm in vulnerable populations such as Ukraine. Not to mention, this withdrawal also fosters a sense of distrust within recipient nations that once trusted the US for aid. 

​ The Government’s hostility towards other nations is a direct effect of its decrease of implementing soft power in diplomacy, which has resulted in poor foreign relations. The current US administration has seemed to have given up on soft power and adopted hostility, which has ultimately ravaged America’s reputation with foreign allies. President Donald Trump simply does not care about maintaining foreign relations: America’s relationship with European nations has already deteriorated, so it is only a matter of time before the US becomes a fully distrusted nation that cannot be taken seriously. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the current administration does not have respect for democracy or human rights since it has stopped implementing soft power in international relations. 

​ The main claim against the USAID and soft power in general is that it is simply corrupt and unnecessary, and is the leading cause for the Agency’s shutdown. However, it is important to note that all Governmental Agencies are, one way or another, corrupt, and the USAID is definitely no exception. However, the USAID, corrupt or not, has made an overwhelmingly positive effect on global health and global relations. While it is undeniable that the Agency may be corrupt, its positive contributions should also be taken into account. It should also be taken into account that the dismantling has not only affected recipient nations, but it has also affected the American population. Soft power may be called ineffective by the Trump administration, and the USAID may be labeled as corrupt, but it is undeniable that the current Administration’s actions are not only causing massive casualties outside of the US, it is also paving a path for the nation’s downfall. 

Foreign Relations is undeniably a critical subject: it involves understanding the viewpoint of nations that have nothing to do with one’s own country - in this case, the United States - and therefore needs to be treated with caution. However, the current Administration is doing anything but. Shutting down the United States Administration of International Development is proof of this, as it meant that the Government had dropped soft power as a diplomacy strategy. The result of this has been serious harm to global health and global relations, and the potential decline of the US economy. The solution to this issue is simple: re-establish the Foreign Aid Agency. If corruption is such a huge concern, then the solution to that is to establish more restrictions and pass laws and acts that will protect those funds from corruption. Corruption may be a valid reason behind dismantling a governmental agency, but the USAID’s positive contributions outweigh its corruptive nature. If appropriate measures are not taken, then more drastic casualties will occur, the US may face an economic depression, and it will no longer be trusted by other nations.