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OPINION:
In my years of public service, I have learned a simple truth: American strength isn’t measured in military might alone. It’s reflected in our ability to influence and shape the world to benefit America’s national interests. Few things are more central to American strength than the strategic use of diplomacy and international assistance to protect our way of life, and few things are more critical to ensuring military action is as limited and effective as possible.
The front line of American security doesn’t start at our borders. It begins in the places where American influence can prevent the next crisis from spiraling out of control. When Iran threatens to strike American military bases, Russia hosts Hamas at the Kremlin and China plays to win in our hemisphere, I have been around long enough to know that bad policy is also bad politics.
That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the rescissions package being considered by Congress. At a time when our rivals — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — are doubling down to threaten our citizens and undermine our interests around the world, this proposal would undermine the very tools America needs to compete and win on the global stage.
I am deeply proud of the work that President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the entire administration have done to rid our nation’s foreign assistance programs of unnecessary waste, fraud and abuse. It was long overdue, but we can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. These are resources for critical U.S. national security, global health and humanitarian programs that make our nation safer, stronger and more prosperous.
The vast majority of funding proposed for rescission is, in fact, composed of new resources recently passed by Congress that the administration can leverage to help our nation outcompete China, withstand threats from transnational repression, and defend our national interests.
I urge my former colleagues to carefully consider the unintended consequences of this rescissions package and to take a hard look at the risks, not despite their commitment to fiscal responsibility but because of it. Strategic engagement abroad remains one of the most cost-effective ways to protect our interests at home.
The numbers tell the story. China has now overtaken the U.S. with more embassies, missions and consulates around the world as it competes for global dominance and influence. Beijing is increasing its 2025 diplomacy budget by 8.4% after increasing it last year by 6.6%. Over the past 15 years, the Chinese Communist Party has increased its investments in overseas programs to open markets by more than 525%.
Sadly, when we step back from the world, bad things happen. In Somalia, American efforts to combat al-Shabaab, an insurgent group aligned with al Qaeda, have stalled. Since February, insurgents have taken back dozens of villages and regained the ability to operate in nearly a third of the territory they lost in 2022. African Union troops, who are helping fight al-Shabaab, haven’t been paid since January, which has triggered security risks for hundreds of American troops stationed there.
Despite these setbacks, Washington is considering this rescission package and other proposals that would shrink America’s global footprint by an unprecedented 85%.
Mr. Trump’s agenda has rightly prioritized deterring endless conflict, competing with China and keeping America secure without entangling ourselves in endless wars. These goals can’t be achieved by defense alone. They require strong diplomacy and targeted international aid that promote American prosperity and keep threats at bay.
Ronald Reagan understood this. His “Peace Through Strength” doctrine wasn’t just about missiles and manpower. It was about diplomacy backed by credibility. Under President Reagan, the U.S. invested about 0.6% of its gross domestic product in U.S. international assistance. Today, that number is just about 0.2%. If new proposals are enacted, it would drop to approximately 0.03% when authoritarians are advancing and instability is growing.
This isn’t about charity; it’s about results. American investments in global health have saved countless lives — 26 million through PEPFAR alone — while helping prevent disease threats from reaching our shores. There is no question that reforms are needed, which I am glad Mr. Rubio is driving every single day. Every dollar should be accountable, transparent and directly in service of American interests. We should consolidate duplicative programs and insist on fair burden-sharing from our allies.
This administration has presented a bold and disruptive vision for restructuring government. Still, when it comes to protecting America’s strength around the world, I fear that slashing essential international programs and hollowing out our diplomatic toolbox would send a signal to the world that America is stepping back. Our rivals are eager to fill that void.
America doesn’t win by walking off the field. We win by leading with strength, with principle and with a clear-eyed understanding that retreat has never been our style.
• Norm Coleman, a Republican, served as a senator for Minnesota from 2003 to 2009.
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