US development policy.
On March 16, the US administration presented its budget request for the 2018 fiscal year starting October 1, 2017 (FY18). The ‘America First’ budget reflects a bargaining position that will be examined and moderated by Congress later in the appropriation cycle but may signal a major policy shift, as recommended funding cuts and proposed elimination of agencies mark a break from the bipartisan approach of previous decades.
Eliminating US funding for bilateral and multilateral climate change programmes may jeopardise implementation of the Paris agreement.
Reduced US assistance to low-income countries that Washington deems ‘non-strategic’ might reverse development gains.
The removal of development agencies' support for exports and foreign investments would limit business opportunities for US firms.
Using development assistance for short-term foreign policy and reducing untied aid would weaken international cooperation on development.
US opposition to reforms of international financial institutions would also reduce the momentum behind global cooperation.
