Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report released on the 13th that as the Trump administration reduces U.S. international influence, China is expanding its diplomatic reach.
The Trump administration is making substantial cuts to State Department expenditures, including the dismissal of over 1,350 domestic employees starting from the 11th of this month, with a total of nearly 3,000 layoffs nationwide.
The Trump administration has cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, effectively shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which funds the majority of America's global humanitarian and development assistance. This has resulted in thousands of employees and contractors being let go, and more than 80% of projects being slashed.
Critics argue that these budget cuts will undermine America's ability to defend and promote its interests abroad.
Trump Advocates 'America First'
Senate Foreign Relations Committee senior Democratic member Sen. Shaheen told reporters in a conference call: "Within days of the Trump administration taking office, the U.S. began to pull back from global commitments. China now sees the U.S. as an unreliable partner... As we retreat, they are expanding their influence."
The U.S. government says that these reforms will help ensure foreign policy aligns with Trump's 'America First' approach and will help shrink the federal bureaucracy and reduce wasteful spending.
This 91-page report from the Democrats details the various ways China is expanding its influence, such as through media broadcasts, health programs, and development initiatives.
China Funds Vaccines and Provides Food
The report lists dozens of cases identified by committee researchers, claiming China has stepped in after the U.S. deleted or reduced international programs, including funding vaccines, providing food, and developing infrastructure.
For example, after the U.S. terminated its food aid program in Africa, China donated $2 million worth of rice to Uganda this March. In May, when the U.S. ended $37 million in AIDS funding for Zambia, China then stated it would assist Zambia in fighting the disease, including donating 500,000 rapid testing kits and planning further meetings to discuss related cooperation.
The report also notes that earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Southeast Asia, meeting with leaders from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. During this trip, China reached an agreement with Vietnam on railway connectivity; signed 37 cooperation agreements with Cambodia in areas including energy, education, and infrastructure; and established technical and manufacturing exchange agreements with Malaysia.
In Latin America, China in May hosted the "China–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum," announcing a $9 billion line of credit and increased infrastructure investment for the region. (Source: Central News Agency)