WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized American foreign aid to Liberia, questioning a $1.5 million allocation aimed at bolstering voter confidence in the 2023 elections. Speaking at a public event, Trump derided the expenditure, sarcastically remarking, “We want to give them confidence in Liberia,” as he dismissed broader U.S.-funded programs overseas.
His comments come against the backdrop of mounting concern in Liberia over the recent suspension of U.S. aid, a move that has disrupted critical development projects. The Liberian government has sounded the alarm over the funding freeze, stating its far-reaching economic and governance implications.
In an interview with VOA’s James Butty, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan underscored the financial strain caused by the suspension, stating that it has derailed key reforms. “This decision has affected our country in multiple ways, particularly in sectors where USAID-backed initiatives were integral to our national development strategy,” Ngafuan said.
Among the most affected programs is Liberia’s tax system reform, which had been backed by a $70 million USAID initiative. The program was designed to modernize revenue collection through a transition from a goods and services tax to a value-added tax (VAT) by 2026, while also investing in digital tax systems and capacity-building efforts.
Ngafuan noted that in response to the aid suspension, the Liberian government is intensifying efforts to boost domestic revenue by strengthening tax administration and curbing financial inefficiencies. He also revealed that the executive branch is engaging with the legislature to assess both the immediate and long-term economic repercussions of the funding cut.
Beyond domestic measures, Liberia has reached out to regional economic bodies, including ECOWAS and the African Union, in a bid to secure alternative funding sources to sustain key development programs.
Meanwhile, Trump expanded his criticism to other U.S. foreign aid allocations, taking issue with a $21 million voter turnout initiative in India. “They got a lot of money. They’re one of the highest-taxing countries in the world when it comes to us. We can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high,” he said. However, he acknowledged India’s economic growth and praised its leadership, adding, “I have a lot of respect for the prime minister.”
Trump also condemned various other U.S. aid allocations, including a $20 million grant for fiscal federalism in Nepal, a $19 million biodiversity conservation project in the same country, $14 million for social cohesion in Mali, $2.5 million for inclusive democracies in South Africa, and $47 million aimed at improving education outcomes in Asia. “Asia’s doing very well,” he added, implying that American taxpayers should not be footing the bill for such initiatives.
The suspension of U.S. aid, which took effect on January 20, 2025, has caused widespread disruptions across multiple countries reliant on American financial assistance. The freeze has also led to staff furloughs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), affecting global humanitarian and development efforts.
While critics argue that the freeze could destabilize economies and undermine international partnerships, Trump’s supporters defend the move as a necessary reassessment of U.S. foreign expenditures. “We’ve wasted billions overseas while struggling with issues here at home,” a Republican lawmaker remarked. “This is about putting America first.”
Despite legal challenges to overturn the freeze, reports suggest that the administration has been slow to comply with court rulings, prolonging uncertainty over the future of U.S.-funded programs worldwide.
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