Trump Halts Agent Orange Cleanup, Puts Hundreds of Thousands at Risk

The Trump administration's decision to halt foreign aid has resulted in the cessation of critical cleanup efforts at Vietnam's Bien Hoa Air Base, where dioxin-laden soil from Agent Orange remains exposed, posing a serious health risk to nearby communities. In a letter dated February 14, diplomats warned that with the impending rainy season, contaminated soil could flood into local areas, threatening food and water supplies for hundreds of thousands of residents. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's orders not only stopped the cleanup work but also froze over $1 million in payments for completed contracts, leaving workers and contractors in a precarious situation. Despite the urgent warnings about an environmental catastrophe, the administration reportedly did not respond to these concerns. Cleanup efforts were briefly resumed after a week, but contractors remain unpaid, and the situation continues to escalate as the rainy season approaches. The halted cleanup poses a significant risk to public health and could strain U.S.-Vietnam relations, according to officials.