It is possible that China may be able to expand its influence as a result of the Trump administration’s decision to halt financing for USAID, and Beijing is making no secret of its efforts to fill the voids.
Speaking anonymously with AWN Digital, a former USAID official said that China had “immediately” taken over after the United States stepped away.
“We’ve just seen news reporting coming out of Nepal, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, documenting directly that where USAID programs have ended that the People’s Republic of China has told these governments that it will step in and become the partner for these governments to continue that work,” a former official from USAID told AWN Digital.
Reuters reports that in the absence of money from the United States, China has increased its support for the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), the country’s leading demining group. China has given $4.4 million to CMAC, more than double the $2 million it received from the US last year, as part of its efforts to enhance its influence, according to the site.
According to the Annapurna Express, China is also keeping an eye on how the funding block affects Nepal. Although China has been providing financial aid to Nepal for some time, reports indicate that it is stepping up its help in a number of sectors.
The former official from USAID pointed out that “by removing these [USAID] programs it adds one more reason for many of these partners to now not see the United States as a partner who shares their priorities of investing in the people of their countries.”
The Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP) was launched by President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, during her father’s first term in office. The White House stated its intention to promote women’s economic empowerment through the initiative at the time.
The Ugandan Lilian Achom was present at Trump’s W-GDP launch and took part in USAID’s W-GDP programs. Women living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom are widows attempting to bring up children, are now her worst concerns, she says.
During an interview with AWN Digital, Achom urged Trump to consider the plight of the poor in northern Uganda. Those in need, especially children and women who are going through tough times right now.
According to Achom, she was “inspired” by meeting the president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, and she talked well of her.
“I saw in her someone who was really, really interested in women’s empowerment, economic development and digital inclusion for women around the world,” Achom remarked about the first lady.
A former official from USAID who talked with AWN Digital claimed that the funding embargo is having an impact on women and girls in every way possible. The source went on to say that although China is making efforts to compensate for some American neglect, it is yet unknown if the country would provide funding for initiatives aimed at empowering women.
According to the White House, USAID is supporting “the ridiculous— and, in many cases, malicious— pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats.”
White House critics point to many instances of “waste and abuse,” including $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam, $1.5 million to “advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities,” and $6 million for Egypt’s tourist industry.
