Published: 21 Feb 2025

Authors: Hoang Thi Ha|Cha Hae Won

As the US shuts down its supply of foreign assistance, some Southeast Asian countries are looking at China to fill the gap. But given China’s different approach to aid, it cannot step in as a direct substitute for America.

President Donald Trump’s shock decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and halt billions of US foreign assistance has jeopardised US-funded development programmes worldwide. As US aid comes to a crashing halt and with it, an important means to advance US soft power, the question is whether Southeast Asian countries can look to China to fill this gap.

For full article, please open the link:

https://fulcrum.sg/us-suspension-of-foreign-aid-will-china-fill-the-void/

The article was published by ISEAS.

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA