US funding freeze halts aid in the Pacific

01/02/2025 9 min
US funding freeze halts aid in the Pacific

Listen "US funding freeze halts aid in the Pacific"

Episode Synopsis


The US has spent years rebuilding ties with the Pacific, as it looks to compete with China for influence — reopening diplomatic missions, amping up defence and security relationships, funding health and environmental projects and inviting Pacific leaders to the White House.But this week the aid tap was turned off as President Trump ordered a ninety day pause to make sure the money is being spent on programmes which align with his "America First" foreign policy.