The American Argument for Foreign Aid

Published via RealClearPolicy

Since the end of World War II, American support for people in need around the world has reflected some of our deepest values: compassion, generosity, and a belief in the inherent dignity of all people. U.S. expertise, innovation, and investments in life-saving programs have played a crucial role in stopping the spread of deadly epidemics, saving families from famine and preventable disease, improving healthcare systems, and protecting the vulnerable from violence,  persecution, and trafficking.

This isn’t just benevolence — it is a smart investment. Investing in global stability and health strengthens our national security and fuels our own economic growth. American farmers, manufacturers, and businesses contribute directly to these efforts, creating jobs and economic opportunity here at home. “Boosting agriculture therefore spurs the growth of entire economies and stimulates demand for U.S. exports. In 2018, U.S. agricultural exports totaled $140 billion, with developing countries accounting for $90 billion, or nearly two-thirds of total agricultural exports. From rural agricultural communities to medical manufacturing hubs, investments in aid have delivered real returns for the American people and fueled U.S. economic growth.

This is more than just a compelling narrative, it’s backed by measurable impact. For example, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria has achieved incredible results — helping save 65 million lives from these three preventable diseases. The program procures extensively from U.S. companies — at least $3.5 billion in the last fifteen years. In addition to averting massive death tolls, the Global Fund helps open access to emerging markets for U.S. firms. These include world-leading American innovations like a twice-yearly shot to prevent HIV infection and advanced mosquito nets treated with insecticides that prevent deadly mosquitoes from reproducing. The Global Fund works directly with U.S.manufacturers to bring new technologies to market while getting the best possible prices with its buying power.

Furthermore, Americans across political divides support foreign aid when it supports them. Recent polling found that 60 percent of people who voted for Trump in the 2024 election support U.S. government investments in preventing and treating diseases in other countries to reduce the risk of future outbreaks spreading to the United States. This is important as America leads the world in investing in these programs. The aid sector understands that reform is needed, and we are eager to work with the Administration to ensure that the work of life-saving programs can continue and that our investments in aid have a high return for American citizens and values.

When DOGE arrived in town and began systematically dismantling foreign aid systems and funding overnight, it didn’t just leave the sick without medicine or the starving without food; it created a new national security risk to the U.S. It also left our allies baffled. After all, we were the ones who liberated Europe, who argued for the rule of law and human rights, who sent recovery teams to natural disaster sites, who dismantled trafficking cartels, and who had saved more than 26 million lives from HIV/AIDS.

There is an urgent need for a course correction, and Congress must work with the Administration to halt the chaos. While few would argue with the need for sensible reform to make our assistance more accountable and efficient, DOGE did the opposite. Costing taxpayers millions of dollars and putting lives in jeopardy through its haphazard cancellation of programs offering a lifeline to the sick and hungry.

Without U.S. support, the risk these countries face heightens. So, too, will war, famine, and death. There will be spikes in human smuggling and trafficking, growing violent extremism, and anti-democratic governance.  It is likely the gains we have made in getting people living in poverty out of the bottom billion will be halted or retreated. These risks will also affect Americans, leading to wasted spending on responding to conflicts rather than investing in efforts that prevent them and create a safer, more stable world. In fact, every $1 spent on promoting economic growth and political stability can save up to $103 in future conflict-related costs.

Terrorism will not be the only thing exported to America. Disease will spread as well. Without assistance, developing countries are facing infectious, but preventable, diseases including HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and will struggle to take care of their sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an Ebola outbreak earlier this year, and experts report serious challenges in the Africa Disease Outlook. We also face diseases jumping from other animals to humans as we have seen in Avian Flu.

Americans are generous. We can be proud of what we have accomplished, though that is not to say U.S. aid shouldn’t become even more effective, accountable, and time-bound. But it is critical that the United States continue to lead and invest in this work. Allowing other countries or organizations to fill the gap, be it China, Russia, or non-state actors with malign intentions like the Muslim Brotherhood, would ultimately cost our country. Our longstanding commitment to foreign aid isn’t just the right thing to do; it also represents a greater understanding that U.S. aid supports American values abroad and strengthens our country at home.

Kelly Ryan is the president of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. Elizabeth Hoffman is the executive director for North America at the ONE Campaign.