The U.S. canceled two support tasks in Cambodia in late February — one to encourage little one literacy and one other to enhance diet and growth for youths beneath 5. Every week later, China’s support company introduced funding for applications to attain nearly an identical objectives.
“Children are the future of the country and the nation,” China’s ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin mentioned on the occasion, standing subsequent to the nation’s well being minister and a UNICEF official. “We should care for the healthy growth of children together.”
Whereas China’s announcement didn’t embody a greenback determine, the Chinese language cash primarily funds the identical forms of initiatives and growth objectives as efforts terminated as a part of the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID, in keeping with two folks with information of the U.S. tasks, who weren’t licensed to talk publicly.
The value tag for the U.S. applications — $40 million — was small in contrast with the $27.7 billion in financial savings the Trump administration mentioned this week it saved by axing hundreds of support contracts. However for Cambodia, whose nationwide GDP is roughly equal to that Vermont, it was a giant sum, and changing misplaced international funds has been a precedence.
The State Division, which oversees USAID and will now soak up the company solely, mentioned in a press release that the U.S. was funding support applications that make People wealthier and safer. On the identical time, it mentioned the U.S. had achieved “significant progress” by investing in Cambodia’s growth over the previous 30 years, “partnering closely” with the federal government.
“Despite changes in the U.S. approach to foreign assistance, we hope to see our relationship with Cambodia productively mature as we make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the division added within the assertion.
The contracts have been terminated on Feb. 26 after President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk launched a sweeping overhaul of U.S. international help, which included dismantling the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth.
Though it’s just one instance, it seems to substantiate fears voiced by Democratic and a few Republican lawmakers, support advocates and former U.S. officers: By slashing international support, Trump is giving China a straightforward alternative to fill a vacuum and achieve a soft-power benefit in nations the place the worldwide adversaries compete for affect.
That’s particularly pressing in Cambodia, the place the U.S. has spent roughly $1 billion because the Nineties. Washington has lengthy waged an uphill battle with China in Southeast Asia, and Cambodia particularly. The Biden administration raised considerations about Chinese language navy affect on the nation’s Ream Naval Base during the last 4 years.
However extra not too long ago, the U.S. has moved to strengthen protection ties with the federal government in Phnom Penh, which granted an American warship entry to Ream for the primary time late final 12 months.
‘Diplomatic Gift’
“It’s a diplomatic gift” to China, mentioned Charles Kenny, a senior fellow on the Middle for International Growth. “In every country where there’s a serious USAID cut, if they put a small amount of money into a health and education project and say, ‘Look, we’re ramping up,’ that does seem to be a bit of a publicity gift for them. And I’m sure they’re smart enough to take it.”
Because the Trump administration moved to close down USAID, terminate most of its international support contracts, and furlough or place on depart most of its staff, U.S. lawmakers, growth specialists and nationwide safety professionals have highlighted the geopolitical dangers of curbing US international support within the creating world.
Lots of these lawmakers and specialists have warned that China may transfer in, gaining additional affect over creating nations after wooing officers in Africa, Asia and South America for years with tens of billions in loans targeted totally on infrastructure by way of Beijing’s Belt and Street Initiative.
And it actually has. China already introduced funding for a Cambodian de-mining initiative that was dropped, and later restored, by the U.S. In mid-March, Beijing additionally introduced an early childhood growth venture in Rwanda, the place USAID not too long ago curtailed contracts. And Chinese language officers have reportedly supplied to make up for funding gaps in Nepal, nestled between India and China.
Will Parks, the Cambodia consultant for the United Nations Kids’s Fund, mentioned in a press release that the group and Cambodia signed a partnership with China in 2024, primarily based on a proposal from 2022. It was launched earlier this month and “complements” funding from different nations, Parks mentioned.
“Cambodia has made tremendous progress for children over the past decade,” he mentioned. “But further reductions of aid budgets could jeopardize these hard-won achievements.”
Cambodia’s authorities was express about drawing a hyperlink.
“The Cambodian government works with many partners, and we never rely on any one partner exclusively,” authorities spokesman Pen Bona mentioned by way of textual content message in response to questions. “So if one partner withdraws support, we seek to find another partner to replace it.”
China “will continue to provide assistance to economic and social development” in Cambodia “under the framework of South-South cooperation,” the Chinese language International Ministry mentioned in a press release.
“China’s aid policy remains consistent and clear,” the International Ministry continued. “China’s principles of non-interference, not attaching any political strings, not giving empty promises remain unchanged.”
In a closed-door listening to on Capitol Hill this month, Trump appointee Pete Marocco, who led the assault on USAID, was requested concerning the Cambodia tasks and the timing of China’s swift announcement, in keeping with one individual acquainted with the session. Marocco dismissed considerations about China growing its affect, this individual mentioned.
Marocco didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Whereas Trump’s crew have mentioned the canceled tasks introduced no advantages to People, Diana Putman, who retired as USAID’s performing assistant administrator for Africa, mentioned the company’s billions in international help helped give US ambassadors an important benefit.
“Their leverage and ability to make a difference in terms of foreign policy in that country is backed up by the money that they bring, and in the Global South that money is primarily the money that USAID has,” Putman mentioned.
