WASHINGTON – Seven months after the Trump administration closed the U.S. Agency for International Development, a senior State Department official claims that foreign aid has become more efficient and aligned with America’s interests than ever before.
“American taxpayer money is not private charity,” said Jeremy Lewin, who is the director of foreign aid at the State Department, in a recent interview. “Every dollar of foreign aid must support America’s national interests.”
The new strategy involves cutting funding from what the administration deems wasteful programs, such as those focused on climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), directing aid instead under the strict oversight of the State Department in line with President Trump’s agenda.
Donro Doctrine
According to Lewin, the U.S. has historically invested tens of billions in foreign aid with minimal strategic return, while countries like China and Russia have increased their influence in developing regions.
“When we arrive, we often hear, ‘The Russians are offering weapons, the Chinese have taken over our infrastructure, and the Americans are sending consultants,'” he remarked. “That’s neither development nor America First.”
In response, the Trump administration has discontinued various programs, reallocating billions towards enhancing strategic infrastructure, security partnerships, and trade, especially in the Western Hemisphere.
A key aspect of the Donro Doctrine—coined by the Post over a year ago—is to block adversaries from making inroads economically, technologically, or militarily in the Americas, a region seen as overlooked by previous administrations.
Lewin noted that prior to Trump’s presidency, only a small fraction—under 10%, and sometimes less than 5%—of the annual $75 billion in U.S. foreign aid was directed to the Western Hemisphere.
“That’s pretty astonishing considering our proximity,” he stated.
Currently, the administration is allocating resources to Latin America and the Caribbean to counter advances made by Chinese projects in communication and infrastructure.
A significant player in this context is Huawei, a major Chinese telecom company that the U.S. is working to exclude from key markets. The State Department is also aiming to prevent Chinese AI technology from being integrated into local governments while helping American firms secure contracts.
“It’s essential for us not to let that happen in our hemisphere,” a senior official summarized regarding the Donro Doctrine.
“America First” Foreign Aid
Instead of collaborating with NGOs for aid distribution, the government is partnering directly with American firms, focusing on boosting domestic industry while delivering services internationally.
For example, in West Africa, a $150 million contract was awarded to California’s Zipline to provide medical supplies to five nations, beating a Chinese competitor for the deal.
A government official remarked, “This agreement staved off Chinese influence,” adding that it prioritized American businesses.
Similar initiatives are rolling out across Latin America and the Indo-Pacific, as the administration treats foreign aid more like a venture capital investment, strategically targeting opportunities.
Moreover, there have been significant changes in global health programs, shifting from an NGO-led approach—like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—to one managed by allied governments.
The new system requires countries to invest in their own health infrastructures and integrate HIV treatment into their national frameworks, aiming to decrease reliance on U.S. funding over time.
As of now, the U.S. has established at least 16 new healthcare agreements, with more on the horizon, demanding that foreign governments match American investments, sometimes even doubling their health expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
“We’re restoring health sovereignty,” Lewin emphasized. “Independence is paramount in America.”
“We were wearing fleece.”
A primary target of the foreign aid restructuring has been the United Nations, where officials claim billions have been spent with inadequate oversight.
A new agreement established last month consolidates U.S. humanitarian funding into a unified UN framework, enhancing accountability and reducing redundancy.
According to Lewin, “We were getting taken advantage of. We’re currently contributing our fair share but not a dollar more.”
While critics have raised concerns, the administration asserts that disaster response has improved under the State Department’s leadership.
For instance, during Category 5 Hurricane Melissa last fall, U.S. teams delivered nearly a million pounds of aid and $40 million directly, often arriving ahead of the Chinese response.
“The first thing people noticed was an American helicopter,” Lewin reflected. “That’s what we mean by America First.”
The government estimates that it has saved tens of billions by cutting unproductive programs and trimming contributions to international organizations, including about $9 billion from cancellations and $5 billion from UN funding cuts.
These savings are being redirected to key priorities, from countering China’s influence in Latin America and the Indo-Pacific to supporting Trump’s significant peace initiatives worldwide.
“This is the implementation of the Donro Doctrine,” Lewin concluded. “Foreign aid enhances American power, fortifies the hemisphere, and focuses on competitors.”
