Military leaders: Foreign aid cuts help China expand
Listen To Story Above
Three retired military leaders cautioned Congress this week about the potential consequences of significant reductions in US foreign aid, warning that China could eagerly fill any resulting gaps and expand its global influence.
Following the Trump administration’s swift dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of broader cost-cutting measures, military veterans are now expressing alarm as China launches new funding programs in nations like Cambodia, where USAID support was recently terminated.
“Anytime that we the United States depart an area that we used to be in, either with USAID as a program, or other soft power initiatives, some foes, whether it’s China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, are filling that void,” retired Lt. Gen. John Bednarek told The Post in between meetings on Capitol Hill.
Ex-generals warn lawmakers about USAID cuts emboldening China: ‘Filling that void’ https://t.co/oCWO07yJLc pic.twitter.com/uJCB2F5Snx
— New York Post (@nypost) March 28, 2025
The delegation to Capitol Hill included Bednarek, who previously served as chief of the United States Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq and commanded the United States First Army, along with retired Gen. Laura Richardson and retired Vice Admiral John Miller. They represent the US Global Leadership Coalition’s National Security Advisory Council, an organization advocating for robust foreign affairs funding.
China’s strategic expansion through its Belt and Road Initiative has been ongoing for over a decade, offering financial support for infrastructure development in emerging economies. Richardson highlighted China’s growing presence in the Western Hemisphere, noting significant investments including a $3 billion deep water port in the Bahamas and a mega port north of Lima, Peru.
These financial arrangements have drawn criticism as “debt trap diplomacy,” with accusations that China deliberately extends loans to financially strained nations, creating diplomatic leverage through debt obligations.
“I think a lot of countries are sort of catching on to the potential pitfalls of teaming with China, but still, if there’s no one else to team with then that’s who they’re going to team with,” Miller, former leader of Naval Forces Central Command, explained. “They don’t have a choice.”
The situation has caught the attention of US lawmakers, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, who views USAID as crucial in counterbalancing China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Recent developments in Cambodia exemplify these concerns, as China steps in to fund children’s development programs following US withdrawal from similar initiatives.
🇺🇸 Secretary of State Rubio says USAID is uncooperative and don’t work with the State department, so they’re cleaned out.
Rubio is the acting director of USAID now and they’re going to be reformed to be complaint with US state policy. pic.twitter.com/imsk6FJjSR
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 3, 2025
The military leaders emphasized that foreign aid extends beyond countering China, contributing to broader national security interests through stability promotion and disease prevention. Richardson specifically mentioned the importance of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement in managing crime and drug-related challenges.
While USAID’s annual budget represented less than 1% of total federal spending, Trump’s administration highlighted examples of questionable expenditures, including $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam and $32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru.
Bednarek acknowledged room for improvement in efficiency while maintaining support for beneficial programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported that approximately 83% of USAID’s programs have been discontinued, though some cuts face legal challenges and potential congressional intervention.
“The meetings were very, very, very receptive,” Bednarek shared regarding their discussions with bipartisan lawmakers. “It’s not just America first, America not alone, because we are always going to have historically, the need for our allies and partners around the world. That requires an investment.”
