US aid cuts and EU shifts risk undermining global development goals, prioritizing security over traditional humanitarian aid.
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Donald Trump’s decision to dismantle and defund USAID has caused significant harm globally by jeopardizing aid programs like food assistance and medical care for AIDS patients, affecting tens of millions. This withdrawal forces international donors to seek new funding solutions. The changing global donor landscape challenges the European Union’s foreign policy goals, as it must decide whether to take over US international aid or respond differently. While Europe aims to strengthen its global influence, it is currently reducing its own aid while increasing defense spending, shifting its role toward a security-focused competitor. Experts note a general decline in official development assistance, with major traditional donors like Germany and France cutting support. The EU faces a choice between using “soft power” through diplomacy/aid or focusing on “hard power,” military capabilities; currently, the latter dominates, meaning poorer nations do not benefit from European defense spending. There is a shift from cooperation to competition, with the European Commission prioritizing shared interests over traditional human and aid-centric projects in its new framework, which some partner countries view skeptically due to limited input. Furthermore, national budget cuts are partly driven by adherence to EU debt rules. While philanthropy can help, there are concerns about shrinking space for civil society organizations. Although the EU proposes an ambitious external action pillar for 2028–2034, its success is doubtful given member state spending reductions and increased defense focus, raising questions about maintaining humanitarian principles. There is a risk that traditional poverty reduction goals will be sidelined in favor of geopolitical and security interests as funding shifts toward competitiveness.
