Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends major cuts in foreign affairs budget

SOURCE www.npr.org
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends major cuts in the foreign affairs budget, facing criticism for ceding ground to China and dismantling USAID. The Trump administration has reduced the foreign affairs budget by half, reorganized the State Department, and considered closing foreign missions.

Key Points

  • Rubio defends a $28.5 billion foreign affairs budget
  • China increases diplomatic budget as the U.S. cuts foreign programs
  • Rubio rejects claims of playing into Putin's hands in Ukraine

Pros

  • Reorganization and downsizing of the State Department
  • Efforts to negotiate an end to Russia's war in Ukraine

Cons

  • Cuts in the foreign affairs budget
  • Dismantling of USAID