China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says, World News
The report, the result of months of staff travel and research, was released as the Trump administration makes deep cuts to the State Department, including beginning on Friday to fire more than 1,350 US-based employees, part of a total reduction of nearly 3,000 people for the US-based workforce.
The administration has also cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, effectively shutting down the US Agency for International Development, which funded the majority of US humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. That led to the firing of thousands of its employees and contractors and the slashing of more than 80 per cent of its programs.
Critics said the cuts would undermine Washington's ability to defend and promote US interests abroad. Research published in The Lancet medical journal said the cuts to USAID and its dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030.
"Within days of the Trump administration taking office and starting to roll back our commitments around the world, China was already labeling the United States an unreliable partner," Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top committee Democrat, told reporters on a conference call about the report.
"At a time when we're retreating, they are expanding their footprint," she said.
The Trump administration says its changes help align foreign policy with Trump's "America First" agenda, and are part of a push to shrink the federal bureaucracy and cut what Trump officials say has been wasteful spending.
Trump has said the US pays disproportionately for foreign aid and he wants other countries to shoulder more of the burden.
The Democrats' 91-page report listed ways, from broadcasting to health programs and development efforts, that committee researchers said China is expanding its influence.
It lists dozens of cases in which the committee researchers found that China had stepped in as the US eliminated or cut back international programs, from funding vaccines and providing food to infrastructure development.
For example, in Africa, as the US terminated food assistance programs, China in March donated US$2 million (S$3 million) in rice to Uganda. In May, after the US terminated a $37 million HIV/AIDS grant in Zambia, China said it would help the African nation fight HIV/AIDS, including by donating 500,000 rapid HIV testing kits and planning more meetings to discuss its continued partnership on the issue.
In Southeast Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a tour to meet with leaders in Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, the report said. The trip yielded an agreement in Vietnam for railroad connections, 37 co-operation agreements in Cambodia in sectors including energy, education and infrastructure and technical and manufacturing exchanges in Malaysia.
And in Latin America, China in May hosted the "China-Latin American and the Caribbean Forum" and announced it would provide a $9 billion credit line and additional infrastructure investments for the region.
[[nid:717864]]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
28 minutes ago
- Business Times
Europe: Shares fall on healthcare, financials drag; focus on US-EU trade deal
EUROPEAN shares ended lower on Tuesday, dragged down by heavyweight financial and healthcare stocks as investors awaited news on a potential US-EU trade deal while assessing the latest US inflation data. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed down 0.37 per cent at 544.95. Most regional indexes declined, with Spain's IBEX falling 1.1 per cent. On Monday, the European Union accused the US of resisting a trade deal and warned of countermeasures if no agreement is reached. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he was open to talks, adding that EU officials would visit the US for trade negotiations. 'What we're seeing here is just a reflection of uncertainty surrounding EU-US trade talks,' said Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index. 'That radio silence is just unnerving investors. They want to know that an improvement can be made on (the) 30 per cent (tariff rate).' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The ZEW economic research institute said German investor morale rose more than expected in July, but economists warned that optimism would vanish without an EU-US trade deal. Across the Atlantic, big banks kicked off the earnings season, with investors closely assessing outlooks and tariff-related uncertainties. JPMorgan Chase raised its 2025 net interest income forecast and beat second-quarter profit estimates. In the euro zone, the banking index slipped 1.1 per cent. Germany's Commerzbank, Italy's Banco BPM and France's Societe Generale each fell more than 2 per cent. Healthcare also lagged, with Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk sliding 2.3 per cent. Ericsson reported upbeat results but the Swedish telecom equipment maker's shares declined 7.7 per cent after it warned of tariffs crimping its margin growth. Barratt Redrow slid 9.4 per cent after Britain's largest homebuilder reported that home completions missed expectations for fiscal 2025. UK's B&M slumped 9.1 per cent to a more-than-five-year low, after the discount retailer reported higher like-for-like revenue in its domestic business in the first quarter. Curbing losses in the sector, the biggest supplier of computer chip-making equipment ASML climbed 2.7 per cent ahead of its earnings on Wednesday. News on Tuesday that US consumer prices increased by the most in five months in June suggested tariffs were starting to fuel inflation, potentially keeping the Federal Reserve on the sidelines until September. Among other stocks, Orsted gained 8.3 per cent after Morgan Stanley raised its rating on the Danish offshore wind developer to 'overweight' from 'equal weight'. Accelleron rose 8.7 per cent to a record high after the engine components maker increased its revenue forecast for 2025. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 16, 2025
Trump lands Indonesia trade deal US President Donald Trump on July 15 announced a trade deal with Indonesia, the latest pact in a bid to cement better terms with trading partners and reduce a massive trade deficit. 'Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia. I dealt directly with their highly respected President. Details to follow!!!' Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Indonesia's total trade with the US – totalling just under US$40 billion (S$51.4 billion) in 2024 – does not rank in the top 15, but it has been growing. US exports to Indonesia rose 3.7 per cent in 2024, while imports from there were up 4.8 per cent, leaving the US with a goods trade deficit of nearly US$18 billion. The top US import categories from Indonesia, according to US Census Bureau data retrieved on the International Trade Centre's TradeMap tool, in 2024 were palm oil, electronics equipment including data routers and switches, footwear, car tyres, natural rubber and frozen shrimp. READ MORE HERE Trump says Zelensky should not target Moscow US President Donald Trump said on July 15 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should not target Moscow and that Russian President Vladimir Putin should agree to a ceasefire deal by a 50-day deadline or sanctions will kick in. His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported on July 15 that Mr Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The newspaper added that Mr Trump asked Mr Zelensky whether he could strike Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons. READ MORE HERE Waltz says US needs strong voice to counter China The United Nations needs reform and the United States must have a strong voice to counter China, Mr Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump's pick to be his UN envoy, said on July 15, adding that he is 'confident we can make the UN great again.' Mr Waltz - a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican lawmaker from Florida - is the last member of Mr Trump's Cabinet awaiting likely confirmation by the US Senate. On July 15, he appeared before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee as part of that process. 'We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk, where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts,' Mr Waltz told the committee. 'But after 80 years, it's drifted from its core mission of peacemaking. We must return to the UN's charter and first principles.' READ MORE HERE Men jailed 4 years for felling Britain's 'Robin Hood' tree PHOTO: AFP Two men were each jailed for over four years on July 15 for cutting down Britain's 'Sycamore Gap' tree, a much-loved and well-known global landmark whose dramatic silhouette had featured in a Hollywood movie. The sycamore, estimated to be almost 200 years old, stood at the centre of a dramatic dip in the landscape alongside the historic Hadrian's Wall in northern England, making it a popular spot for photographers, hikers and even marriage proposals. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty in June of travelling from their homes in the middle of the night in September 2023 to deliberately cut it down with a chainsaw. READ MORE HERE Severance leads Emmy nominations with 27 PHOTO: APPLE TV+ Apple TV+'s dark sci-fi office drama Severance on July 15 led the contenders for the Emmy Awards, television's version of the Oscars, with a whopping 27 nominations. The Penguin, HBO Max's Batman villain spinoff series, came in second with 24, while HBO Max's The White Lotus and Apple's The Studio tied for third, with 23 nominations each. The announcement from the Television Academy was the official start of the race to the 77th Emmy Awards, set for Sept 14 in Los Angeles.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Trump warns Putin over Ukraine as EU fails to agree fresh Russia sanctions
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Jul 15) warned Russia it has 50 days to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face fresh sanctions, even as the European Union failed to approve its latest package of measures against Moscow. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should not target Moscow despite reports he had privately encouraged deeper strikes inside Russia. "No, he shouldn't target Moscow," Trump said, adding that he is on "humanity's side" and wants to stop the killing. Trump defended his 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, vowing that sanctions and tariffs would kick in against countries that continue to buy Russian oil if no agreement is reached. "At the end of the 50 days if we don't have a deal, it's going to be too bad," Trump said. His remarks followed Monday's announcement of a new NATO-backed military aid package for Kyiv. Trump said European countries would fund the supply of US-made Patriot missile systems and other weaponry for Ukraine. Moscow responded cautiously, saying it needed time to study Trump's comments but warning they could embolden Ukraine to prolong the conflict. "It seems that such a decision... will be perceived by Kyiv not as a signal for peace but for the continuation of the war," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russia has ramped up aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks and has refused ceasefire calls, demanding instead that Kyiv pull out of occupied regions and cease all Western military support. Despite back-to-back prisoner exchanges, peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv have yielded no major breakthroughs. Russia said it remains open to dialogue but is waiting for proposals from Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines expressed mixed reactions. Some welcomed the promised US weapons, while others questioned Trump's reliability and warned that vital time had been lost. EU DIVIDED ON NEW SANCTIONS Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was "really sad" the bloc was unable to agree on its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia. "The ball is now in Slovakia's court," Kallas said, referencing Slovakia's ongoing objections due to a separate EU plan to phase out Russian gas by 2028. The proposed sanctions include a floating price cap on Russian oil, a ban on transactions with banks circumventing sanctions, and prohibitions linked to Russia's Nord Stream pipelines. The measures are part of the EU's ongoing effort to curb Moscow's ability to fund its war in Ukraine. While all other member states were ready to proceed, Kallas said she remained hopeful a final agreement could be reached as soon as Wednesday. TENSIONS MOUNT OVER WEAPONS PLAN As part of his broader policy, Trump has threatened severe tariffs on countries that continue trade with Russia if no ceasefire is reached. His remarks come amid concerns in Europe over the unpredictability of US foreign policy and the future of NATO unity. Nevertheless, some EU countries, including Denmark and the Netherlands, said they are open to joining Trump's plan to purchase American arms for Ukraine. Trump's stance marks a shift from earlier ambiguity about US involvement in Ukraine and follows mounting criticism that the West has not done enough to stop Russia's offensive, now in its fourth year.
