Why Shutting Down USAID Could Be a Huge Mistake

USAID, a key player in global development, has been facing potential shutdown talks. Recently, employees went to their offices only to find they couldn't enter. It turns out billionaire Elon Musk wants USAID to close its doors. And apparently, President Trump is on board with this. USAID has been around since 1961 and has played a huge role in creating jobs in the USA and maintaining global stability. That's a big deal. But Trump's plan to shut it down could have serious consequences. For starters, it would give China's Belt and Road Initiative a free pass. This initiative is China's answer to global development, and it's not always the best solution for the countries involved. USAID, on the other hand, offers better deals and supports key infrastructure projects to keep us competitive. Plus, USAID is the one working in small towns and rural areas where the State Department isn't. For less than 0. 7% of the USA's budget, it provides support that boosts development and national security. It's been the backbone of many successful projects, like pushing out Huawei spyware from Liberia and protecting Pacific Island countries from compromised Chinese technology. But if USAID shuts down, China will fill the void. And that's not good. Already, the freeze on USAID foreign assistance is causing problems. Countries are already looking to China for help. USAID's absence means more Chinese deals, and America's reputation takes a hit. We can't afford to lose our influence. Autocrats worldwide are celebrating Trump's attack on USAID. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev even called it a "smart move. " When autocrats praise USAID's downfall, you know just how important its work really is. USAID's work has even been praised by the House Select Committee on the CCP. They recommended fully funding USAID to keep up with China's aggressive expansion. And it's not just about competing with China. USAID also boosts our economy by funding projects that create jobs and boost revenue. USAID is also critical in preventing conflicts and keeping global stability. It's a key player in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. USAID is about saving lives and preventing disasters, both at home and abroad. China has been investing heavily in development projects worldwide. They've spent almost $1 trillion in the past two decades alone. USAID's budget is just a fraction of that, but every bit counts. We need USAID to keep pace with China's global ambitions. The challenge is huge. If we shut down USAID, we're basically giving China the competitive edge. And that's a risk we can't afford to take.