How Trump’s hobbling of USAID cedes Southeast Asia to Chinese influence
Cuts to USAID are changing the balance of power in Southeast Asia, upending long-standing development and diplomatic dynamics. As US support declines, other partners, most notably China, are increasingly filling the void, changing regional alliances and economic reliance.
The article investigates how decreasing US development assistance has offered new chances for Beijing to expand its influence, as well as the implications for local governments navigating competing forces. It provides an important look at the unexpected repercussions of assistance reduction as well as the larger implications for US influence in the area for professionals interested in development policy and strategic rivalry.
James Borton, Senior Fellow at FPI, wrote in South China Morning Post on February 9, 2025, about the strategic costs of weakening USAID.