Canada Has Given Millions to USAID Over the Years
South of the border, United States President Donald Trump has been sending shockwaves around the world since his return to office. From tariff threats to executive orders, he’s been making waves. His latest move targets the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a long-standing federal agency dedicated to foreign aid and humanitarian efforts. Declaring it “beyond repair,” Trump and his ally Elon Musk have pushed for its shutdown, locking staff out of their offices and cutting off access to internal systems. Homeland Security officers have blocked entry to USAID headquarters, and the agency’s website has been taken offline, signaling a swift and decisive effort to dismantle the organization. USAID has also received massive financial support from other nations, including Canada, which has committed millions to its programs over the years.
Trump's criticisms of USAID center on claims that the agency is mismanaged, politically biased, and inefficient in its use of taxpayer funds.
Trump’s circle contends that USAID has become a tool for influencing foreign policy in ways that do not align with the “America First” agenda and that its operations lack proper oversight. Additionally, Trump has emphasized that the US should not be "blindly doling out money" without tangible returns for American taxpayers, reinforcing his broader push to reevaluate and realign US foreign aid.
Discussions about foreign aid accountability are also taking place in Canada. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has allocated millions of dollars to USAID, despite the agency’s uncertain future under Trump. In 2024, GAC announced a $13-million commitment to support USAID’s efforts to strengthen Peru’s water security and climate resilience, including a “gender-sensitive approach to watershed planning.”
Canada’s financial support for USAID dates back to the Stephen Harper era. In 2014, Canada contributed $10 million to the agency, reflecting a longstanding commitment to “international development” through US-led programs.
