United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has voiced concern following the United States’ decision to freeze nearly all foreign assistance under President Donald Trump’s administration. The freeze, announced in an internal memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, allows exceptions only for emergency food aid and military assistance to Israel and Egypt.
President Trump, who assumed office last week, has prioritized an “America First” agenda, which includes significant restrictions on overseas aid. The move has raised alarm among global leaders and aid organizations, given the U.S.’s longstanding role as the world’s largest foreign aid donor.
In a statement, Guterres said he “notes with concern the announcement of a pause in US foreign assistance” and called for additional exemptions to ensure the continuation of vital development and humanitarian efforts.
“Such aid is crucial for the most vulnerable communities around the world, whose lives and livelihoods depend on this support,” Guterres said, while expressing optimism about future engagement with the new U.S. administration on the issue.
The freeze impacts a wide range of U.S. assistance programs, including military aid and development support, as well as funding for PEPFAR, the flagship U.S. initiative to combat HIV/AIDS in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
The directive also affects aid to Ukraine, which had received substantial military assistance under former President Joe Biden in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
The memo did, however, preserve military aid for Israel, whose arms packages have expanded in recent years following the Gaza conflict, and for Egypt. Emergency food assistance for global crises, including in Sudan and Syria, was also exempted.
The U.S. has historically used foreign aid as a tool to advance its foreign policy goals, contrasting its development-driven approach with China’s focus on securing natural resources. Guterres emphasized that sustained aid is critical for global stability, urging Washington to reconsider its sweeping cuts.
