Article shared by Kul Gautam
Donald Trump’s potential return to the presidency could bring major changes to U.S. foreign aid and global development. Aid budgets are expected to face steep cuts, with USAID under significant scrutiny and multilateral institutions like the U.N. and World Bank at risk of losing U.S. funding. Programs supporting climate action, reproductive rights, and diversity could be rolled back, while faith-based organizations and private sector-focused initiatives, like the Development Finance Corporation, may benefit.
Trump’s "America First" approach might prioritize localization and private sector solutions, but global health and climate efforts could face setbacks. Controversial figures, such as RFK Jr. and Marco Rubio, are mentioned as potential appointees, with uncertainty surrounding USAID leadership. These shifts signal a broader retreat from traditional U.S. engagement in international development.
My guess is that UNICEF could fairly well cope with a cut (or cut-off) in USG funding. Kul rightly identifies the Executive Director appointment as the major issue, with most potential for destructive impact. But why - WHY - must the next ExD necessarily be from the USA? Surely it is time for the monopolization of UNICEF leadership by one country to change - and for a properly competitive, merit-based process run by the S-G's Office ...? Too much to hope for?
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