China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says

Source: Reuters

China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says

Patricia Zengerle
Mon, July 14, 2025 at 11:04 AM EDT
3 min read

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China is increasing its diplomatic reach as President Donald Trump's administration pares back America's international presence, Democrats from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report released on Monday.

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 U.S.-based employees, part of a total reduction of nearly 3,000 people for the U.S.-based workforce.

The administration has also cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, effectively shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, which funded the majority of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. That led to the firing of thousands of its employees and contractors and the slashing of more than 80% of its programs.

Critics said the cuts would undermine Washington's ability to defend and promote U.S. 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.

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Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-steps-us-pulls-back-150447057.html