French minister: EU faces challenges in replacing USAID amid shutdown

France’s Development Minister Thani Mohamed-Soilihi has announced that the EU has a "decisive role" to play in global development aid in the wake of the US Agency for International Development's (USAID) sudden shutdown, but it lacks the resources to do so alone. 

“Europe alone cannot compensate for [USAID’s] withdrawal. We must mobilize all funding sources, whether public, private, domestic, or international, to create mutually beneficial partnerships,” Caliber.Az reports via Mohamed-Soilihi’s interview.

USAID, the historic public arm of US development aid, has been temporarily closed by President Trump for at least 90 days, leaving Europe scrambling for an effective response. The abrupt shutdown has left a significant gap in global development efforts, with concerns growing over the potential loss of some 55.8 billion euros ($58.6 billion) in US foreign aid budgeted for 2025.

In just two weeks, the international development community has come to terms with the reality that key US foreign aid commitments might, quite literally, vanish. Meanwhile, USAID employees have been either laid off or placed on paid leave, with only essential staff remaining to manage the agency’s core operations. 

Countries such as Ukraine, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe—regions that are direct recipients of US aid—are expected to bear the brunt of the disruption. In response, the EU has expressed willingness to step in and help fill the void, but the financial capability to replace USAID’s extensive operations is not within Europe’s reach.

The USAID shutdown refers to a sudden decision made by US President Donald Trump. USAID, a key government agency responsible for administering US foreign aid, plays a pivotal role in supporting international development, humanitarian efforts, and promoting US diplomatic interests abroad.

The decision to halt USAID's functions has sparked concerns worldwide, prompting the European Union and other international partners to consider stepping in to bridge the gap, though challenges remain due to insufficient funding and resources.

By Naila Huseynova