Trump slashes foreign aid in security-focused budget blueprint
Washington — President Donald Trump proposed drastic cuts in spending on the arts, science, foreign aid and environmental protection on Thursday, in a security-focused budget blueprint that could struggle to pass Congress. Translating hardline campaign promises into dollar commitments, the Republican leader proposed scrapping dozens of programmes such as for public broadcasting and climate funding, while boosting Pentagon spending by $52bn. Trump, in the preface to the spending proposal, described it as "a budget that puts America first," and that makes safety and security the "number one priority — because without safety, there can be no prosperity." The State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency would be the biggest losers, seeing their funding reduced by about a third. That could be a harbinger of steep reductions in foreign aid and funding to UN agencies, with knock-on effects around the world. The national endowments for the arts and humanities would be scrapped a...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.