The Trump administration is considering a sweeping downsizing of America’s global diplomatic footprint, with internal State Department documents revealing plans to close nearly 30 embassies and consulates worldwide, including at least 16 in Africa. The move is part of a proposed 50% budget cut to the State Department and a 75% reduction in foreign aid, reflecting a major shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities. Among the African nations affected are Lesotho, Eritrea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, The Gambia, and South Sudan, where embassies may be shuttered. U.S. consulates in Durban, South Africa, and Douala, Cameroon, are also at risk, with their duties potentially reassigned to regional missions in neighboring countries. Other closures are proposed in Europe, including embassies in Malta and Luxembourg, and consulates in Asia and Eastern Europe.
According to senior officials familiar with the matter, the proposals are part of an internal review led by the Office of Management and Budget and the State Department, designed to “streamline operations and reduce unnecessary expenditures.” However, no final decision has been made, and the proposals remain under consideration.
The plan has drawn sharp criticism from diplomats, lawmakers, and foreign policy experts, who warn it could erode U.S. influence, particularly in Africa, where China, Russia, Turkey, and Gulf states are rapidly expanding their economic, military, and diplomatic presence. Former ambassadors have cautioned that withdrawing from smaller nations could damage U.S. strategic interests in counterterrorism, health diplomacy, and democracy promotion.
Critics argue that embassies serve more than just diplomatic functions—they support American citizens abroad, coordinate humanitarian efforts, and facilitate trade and investment. For instance, South Sudan, one of the world’s most fragile states, receives hundreds of millions in U.S. humanitarian aid annually, and hosts one of the largest U.N. peacekeeping missions. Closing the embassy there could complicate both diplomatic engagement and emergency response efforts.
The Trump administration’s push to significantly reduce U.S. global engagement echoes its broader “America First” approach, favoring domestic spending cuts over foreign entanglements. However, even within Republican ranks, the proposed reductions have faced bipartisan pushback in Congress, which must approve final budget decisions.
The potential closures come amid a trend of increasing global instability, from terrorism and conflict in the Sahel, to pandemics, and climate-related displacement—issues that many argue require sustained U.S. diplomatic presence rather than retreat. A final decision on the proposed embassy closures is expected to be influenced by congressional hearings and internal lobbying from the State Department and national security agencies in the months ahead.
