Rubio Reveals USAID Aid Waste, Criticizes China Global Aid Efforts

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered forceful testimony exposing significant inefficiencies and waste in the U.S. foreign aid system, revealing that only 12 cents of every dollar allocated through USAID reached intended recipients. Rubio emphasized reforms aimed at streamlining aid delivery by empowering regional bureaus and aligning aid with strategic American interests, countering criticisms that these cuts signify a retreat from global engagement. He sharply criticized China's approach to global aid, characterizing it as predatory lending under the Belt and Road Initiative rather than genuine humanitarian assistance, accusing China of using debt traps and requiring that recipient countries hire Chinese firms, thus undermining sovereignty. Rubio also condemned China for abusing global trade rules, stealing American technology, and flooding the U.S. with fentanyl, declaring the end of an era of indulgence toward the Chinese Communist Party's actions. In conjunction with these critiques, Rubio announced a $28.5 billion State Department budget proposal for 2026, which includes cutting $20 billion in wasteful and ideologically driven programs and establishing a $2.9 billion America First Opportunity Fund to enhance rapid responses to global crises and counter China’s influence. Throughout his congressional appearances, Rubio maintained that the U.S. remains actively engaged worldwide, underscoring recent extensive diplomatic travels and rejecting claims that China can replace the U.S. as a global aid leader.