[Dale Garratt] What’s right and wrong with US foreign aid

US President Donald Trump’s cancellation of foreign aid has caused intense debate in America and around the world. In the US it has largely come down, as usual, to a conflict between the right-wing and left-wing. We need to be smart, using a “head-wing” approach, if you will. By recognizing the good points on both sides and incorporating them into one national strategy, everyone will benefit.

First, let’s look at a wrong use of foreign aid. It is not right to use aid as a way to coerce other countries to follow American culture. Former US President Joe Biden attempted to use aid to push LGBTQ+ inclusivity in Muslim countries. Instead, it backfired. Those countries pulled back somewhat from America and came closer to US adversaries like Iran. America should lead by example on the world stage, but it should not be the world’s police. It should also not be the world’s priest.

On the other hand, one very good use of foreign aid is vaccinations. It is smart to vaccinate poor people around the world against infections like Ebola, Marburg and others. Diseases do not recognize borders. The US is saving millions of lives overseas, and at the same time protecting itself and other countries. It is imperative that the US continue providing these vaccines.

Giving smart foreign aid is also very much to America’s political advantage. When it helps poor countries, it impresses other countries around the world. They are then more inclined to work with the US to achieve common goals, like nation-state sovereignty.

However, if Americans are seen as stingy and selfish, their alliances with countries they need to work with will be weakened. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or QUAD, is a good example. The US needs the goodwill and respect of Australia, India and Japan to more effectively counter the growing threat from China.

The US and international political leaders should also develop new and innovative foreign aid programs. One example would be to provide poor countries with blood pressure medication. Some 700 million people worldwide have untreated hypertension, the “silent killer.” Blood pressure medication is remarkably cheap and highly effective. A program like this could save tens of millions of lives.

The French philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville once said, “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” In the 20th century, together with its allies, America made great sacrifices to stop dictators from taking over the world. As a result, the world is much safer and much freer, and so is the US. This illustrates a fundamental principle that when we serve others, it often brings benefit to ourselves.

America applied this principle in a major way after World War II. Instead of punishing its former enemies, America instituted the Marshall Plan. It gave $150 billion in today’s dollars to rebuild not only its allies in Europe but also its former enemies, Germany and Japan.

The US gained much more than it gave. Trade between the US and the newly built-up countries boomed. The Marshall Plan was in large part responsible for the post-war, worldwide economic expansion called the “golden age of capitalism.”

Foreign aid is not simply a right-wing or left-wing issue. Let’s be smart and find solutions using a head-wing approach, identifying and incorporating the best parts of both views. America will benefit, and the greater world will as well.

Dale Garratt

Dale Garratt is the author of geopolitical thriller "The Peace Road" and a longtime educator in South Korea and the United States. The views expressed here are the writer’s own. -- Ed.