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Trump said in his first batch of executive orders that the foreign aid provided by the United States “was not aligned” with the “interests and values” of the United States.
President of the United States Donald Trump | Reuters image
After the Donald Trump administration issued an order of “stop” for all existing foreign assistance and stopping a new help, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) suspended its funds in Bangladesh.
Citing Trump’s executive order on “reassessing and realizing” foreign aid, Usaid issued a statement to Bangladesh that ordered them to stop, stop and suspend any work under their contract.
“This letter serves as a directive for all Usaid/Bangladesh implementing partners to stop, cease and immediately suspend any work done under their respective USAID/Bangladesh contract, order, subsidy, cooperative agreement or other acquisition or assistance instrument,” The development agency said.
“The partners will take all reasonable measures to minimize the incurrence of costs assignable to their awards. The partners will not resume the work under their awards until the written notification of the contracting/agreement that this order/suspension of stop work has been canceled has been received, “he added.
Trump, who withdrew the position of president of the United States on January 20, said in his first batch of executive orders that the foreign aid provided by the United States “was not aligned” with the “interests and values” of the United States .
The Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, also sent an internal memorandum days after Trump assumed the position of promising a policy of “America First” of restriction closely of assistance abroad.
“The industry and the bureaucracy of foreign aid of the United States are not aligned with US interests and, in many cases, antithetics to US values. They serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse with harmonious relationships and internal stables and between countries, “said the White House.
“It is the policy of the United States that will not disburse more foreign assistance from the United States in a way that is not completely aligned with the foreign policy of the president of the United States,” he added.
The suspension of USAID’s financial aid to Bangladesh could have severe implications for the government led by Yunus. According to Usaid, its program in Bangladesh is the largest in Asia and covers vital areas such as food security, health, governance, education and the environment.
It also finances critical humanitarian efforts, including addressing the Rohingya crisis. In 2024, the United States committed $ 202 million to Bangladesh, part of a broader 2021 agreement that promised $ 954 million in aid until 2026, with $ 425 million already disbursed.