On January 24, 2025, President Donald Trump ordered an immediate freeze on virtually all US foreign aid and issued a “stop-work” order on current grants and contracts, effective immediately. It was the start of what promises to be one of the major policy changes on US foreign aid during his administration. This is a step in the right direction as it shows an understanding of the negative consequences of an interventionist government and places emphasis on personal responsibility.
Foreign aid in itself signifies a redistribution of wealth by the state. By pausing—or ending—foreign aid, the US is emphasizing limited state involvement in economic affairs: while promoting free markets, charitable activities, and development left to private individuals and organizations rather than the state.
Foreign aid only increases the dependence of other nations and hampers the growth of their own economy. In that respect, the US inadvertently places recipient nations in a position whereby they become dependent on foreign aid rather than becoming capable of developing self-sustaining economic systems themselves. Economic growth and development should rise from the grassroots level, where the local entrepreneurs and businesses drive the process, not from the government handouts, especially to foreign nations.
The freeze in foreign aid from President Trump is symbolic for more reasons than one. The memorandum called for a review of all the foreign assistance programs within 90 days and shaped them to align more with the US foreign policy agenda. This review process is most likely to result in the reallocation or termination of any such aid programs that are not in tune with the government’s priorities.
While critics say this freeze would have disastrous implications, such countries and their agencies should find alternative sources of funding from private individuals or other sources rather than using the US taxpayers’ money. We have seen, time after time, how much better private organizations and individuals serve humanitarian needs, both domestically and worldwide. First of all, they are much freer and more efficient, since their actions are able to focus on certain areas without being saddled by bureaucracies. Private organizations also bear responsibility more than governments because donors and beneficiaries have vested interests in those resources.
In conclusion, freezing foreign aid by President Trump is quite in line with libertarian principles. This decision reduces governmental intervention in world affairs and promotes individual responsibility. Hopefully this reflects a movement toward limited government interventions,
at least in other nations and a support for free markets. All in all, it should be a net positive if it helps to create a more constructive and viable world development, sets a trend towards less government intervention, and turns the focus toward humanitarian assistance outside of government agencies.
