Foreign aid funds to go to 'America First' plans

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump's administration intends to shift $1.8 billion in foreign aid funding toward "America First" initiatives, such as pursuing investments in Greenland and countering "Marxist, anti-American regimes" in Latin America, according to a document sent to Congress.

"The national security interests of the United States require that the United States utilize these foreign assistance funds to meet new challenges in ways that make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous," according to the Congressional Notification reviewed by Reuters on Wednesday.

The administration's plan to shift the funding from programs previously authorized by Congress was first reported by The Washington Post. A State Department spokesperson said the department looked forward to working with Congress "on America First Foreign Assistance", saying foreign assistance programs must align with administration policies.

"The United States will prioritize trade over aid, opportunity over dependency, and investment over assistance," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The Trump administration has been pursuing a massive overhaul of foreign assistance since the Republican began his second term in January. The strategy is a departure from the long-held assumption that food, medical and economic assistance is an important "soft power" component of US global influence.

In the notification, dated Sept 12, the administration says the $1.8 billion would be obligated for programs to "strengthen US global leadership", to focus on several areas central to Trump administration policy.

Agencies via Xinhua