New Trump Doctrine targets foreign Aid system

Donald Trump’s administration is urging governments worldwide to endorse a sweeping shift in international development policy, calling for “trade over aid” and a reduced reliance on traditional humanitarian assistance, according to a diplomatic cable reviewed by The Washington Post.

The directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs U.S. embassies and consulates to formally lobby foreign governments to support a joint declaration ahead of its planned introduction at the United Nations later this month. The proposal frames the policy shift as part of a broader effort to embed “America First” principles into global development. It argues that private-sector investment and expanded trade, rather than government-led aid, offer a more sustainable path to economic growth in developing countries.

“It was private business that developed all the world’s successful economies, not government aid,” the draft declaration states, according the Post, while criticizing existing aid systems for fostering “dependency, inefficiency, and corruption.”

U.S. diplomats have been given a tight timeline - days, not weeks - to secure endorsements from host governments. The démarche includes prewritten talking points stressing what the administration calls a “new Golden Age” of American economic strength, driven by deregulation, tax cuts, and energy expansion.

This push follows a series of sweeping changes introduced during Trump’s second administration, signaling a departure from the country’s long-standing role as a leading global donor. Previously Trump halted aid flows, dismantling key institutions, and restructuring how assistance is managed.

At the outset of the term in January 2025, the administration implemented an immediate suspension of most foreign aid spending. The pause affected a wide range of initiatives, including public health programs, emergency relief operations, and long-term development projects. As a result, numerous efforts across Africa, Asia, and Latin America were abruptly disrupted, creating uncertainty for both beneficiaries and implementing organizations.

Another major step was the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the principal agency responsible for administering U.S. foreign aid. For decades, USAID had overseen programs aimed at reducing poverty, addressing food insecurity, and promoting social and economic development.

In addition, foreign aid responsibilities were transferred to the State Department, with a stronger emphasis on alignment with U.S “interest priorities.” This shift reduced the focus on sustained assistance in favor of more immediate political considerations. At the same time, proposed federal budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 included substantial cuts to international affairs spending. The administration consistently advocated scaling back funding for global humanitarian and development efforts.

This new initiative builds on similar policy shifts. Late last year, the Trump administration overhauled its global health strategy, replacing the traditional aid model led by USAID with a new framework branded “America First Global Health Leadership.” The approach moves away from grant-based assistance toward direct bilateral agreements emphasizing what officials describe as “investment partnerships and shared financial responsibility.” Rather than acting as a conventional donor, Washington now positions itself as a development partner, encouraging recipient countries to commit significant domestic funding alongside U.S. contributions.

Kenya became one of the first countries to enter into such an arrangement, securing a proposed U.S. commitment of up to $1.6 billion over five years, matched by approximately $850 million from the Kenyan government. However, the agreement quickly sparked domestic opposition. Organizations such as the Consumer Federation of Kenya, along with Senator Okiya Omtatah, challenged the deal in court, arguing that it violated national laws on data protection and health governance, particularly regarding the handling of sensitive patient information. The legal challenge prompted Kenya’s High Court to suspend implementation of the agreement in December 2025, halting any data sharing pending further review.

The administration’s latest moves - driven in part by its growing disengagement from multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, where it has significantly reduced funding while calling for institutional “reforms” - represent another step in its broader pivot toward bilateral engagement. The strategy aims to bypass traditional multilateral frameworks and reshape global development around bilateral partnerships rather than conventional traditional aid systems.