US Government Considers Significant Cuts to Foreign Affairs Budget

The United States government is reportedly contemplating substantial reductions to its foreign affairs budget, according to various media sources. Recent reports indicate that nearly half of the funding allocated to the U.S. Department of State could be eliminated, impacting financial resources for international organizations such as NATO and the United Nations, including crucial UN peacekeeping missions.

According to documents reviewed by both The New York Times and The Washington Post, a proposed budget of $28.4 billion for the fiscal year 2026 is under discussion. This figure reflects a staggering decrease of $26 billion, or approximately 48%, from the budget proposed for 2025.

Additionally, the potential closure of several U.S. embassies and consulates has been announced, with reports suggesting that ten embassies and 17 consulates may be affected. Locations under consideration include U.S. consulates in Düsseldorf and Leipzig, as well as five diplomatic missions in France, such as those in Strasbourg and Lyon. Other countries that could face closures include Italy, Scotland, Luxembourg, Malta, Eritrea, and South Sudan. However, it remains unclear whether U.S. diplomatic missions in Austria will be impacted, as the U.S. Embassy in Vienna has not provided any specific information regarding this matter.

In addition to embassy closures, funding for UN peacekeeping operations is also on the chopping block. Internal documents suggest that the U.S. government is considering cutting financial support for these missions due to perceived failures in various deployments, including those in Mali, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States is currently the largest contributor to the United Nations, providing approximately 22% of its core budget and 27% of funding for peacekeeping initiatives.

Educational programs may also face reductions, with potential impacts on the Fulbright Scholarship program, one of the most prestigious U.S. funding initiatives. The American Foreign Service Association has criticized these proposed cuts as detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and international relations.

While a spokesperson for the State Department indicated that the proposals are not finalized, it is understood that U.S. President Donald Trump will have the final say on the budget recommendations presented to Congress. It remains uncertain whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has endorsed the outlined proposals. As part of the austerity measures announced by Trump, all government departments have been instructed to submit their budget cut plans this week.

Previously, the Trump administration had effectively dissolved the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and eliminated 83% of its programs, leading to significant criticisms from organizations like the United Nations regarding the adverse effects on global aid initiatives, including those targeting infectious diseases.