Sec. of State Marco Rubio announces major overhaul at USAID, cancels 83% of programs

After a six-week review, Sen. Marco Rubio announced the cancellation of 83% of USAID programs, citing wasteful spending and harm to U.S. national interests. The move eliminates 5,200 contracts worth tens of billions of dollars, with remaining programs shifting under the State Department for better oversight. Rubio thanked staff for their efforts in implementing what he called a “historic reform.”

Key Details:

Sen. Marco Rubio revealed that 5,200 USAID contracts have been canceled after a six-week review.
The cuts affect tens of billions in foreign aid, which Rubio argued was not serving U.S. national interests.
The remaining 1,000 programs will be administered under the State Department with improved oversight.

Diving Deeper:

In a sweeping reform of U.S. foreign aid spending, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced on Monday that the federal government has canceled 83% of programs administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). According to Rubio, the decision followed a six-week review that exposed extensive waste, inefficiency, and, in some cases, harm to core U.S. national interests.

“The 5,200 contracts that are now canceled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, and in some cases even harmed, the core national interests of the United States,” Rubio stated. His move reflects growing scrutiny among conservatives regarding how taxpayer money is used in foreign aid, particularly under USAID, which has long been criticized for funding controversial projects abroad.

Rubio clarified that approximately 1,000 remaining programs—just 18% of USAID’s previous operations—will now be administered under the State Department. This transition, he noted, will ensure these programs are managed more effectively with greater oversight from Congress. His announcement signals a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches foreign aid, moving toward a more targeted and strategic approach rather than broad, unchecked spending.

The decision has drawn praise from fiscal conservatives who have long argued that USAID’s operations lacked accountability and often funded programs that failed to advance American interests. Critics of the agency have pointed to cases where U.S. foreign aid dollars went to projects promoting ideological agendas or funding corruption in foreign governments.

Rubio thanked the Department of Global Engagement (DOGE) and USAID staff who worked tirelessly to carry out what he described as a long-overdue reform. The announcement is likely to spark debate in Washington, as Democrats and globalist policymakers have traditionally defended USAID’s expansive role in international development.

The restructuring of USAID under the oversight of the State Department represents a dramatic reimagining of America’s foreign assistance strategy—one that prioritizes accountability and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent in direct service of national security and diplomatic goals.

Related Topics:MXMNews SecretaryOfStateMarcoRubio StateDepartment USAIDProgramsCancelled

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Trump announces UK will fast-track American products under new deal

Business

Trump announces UK will fast-track American products under new deal

Published on May 8, 2025

Todayville

MxM News

Quick Hit:

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the framework of a new trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom, calling it a breakthrough that will eliminate red tape and fast-track American exports.

Key Details:

President Trump told reporters the UK would be “opening up the country” to American goods, particularly U.S. beef and other agricultural exports.
Although the current 10% tariff rate on the UK will remain, the agreement offers Britain some flexibility on imports like auto parts and aircraft components while laying the foundation for an “economic security agreement.”
Trump emphasized that the UK has agreed to speed up the customs process for American products: “There won’t be any red tape—very fast approvals.”

🚨 A GOOD DEAL 🚨

President Trump announces the first breakthrough trade deal between America and the United Kingdom. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pesMdQlCMY

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 8, 2025

Diving Deeper:

President Donald Trump on Thursday revealed that the United States and the United Kingdom have finalized the framework for a new bilateral trade deal, marking the first formal economic pact since his administration’s imposition of “Liberation Day” tariffs last month. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the deal would ease trade barriers and accelerate customs clearance for American exports, with a particular focus on agricultural products like beef.

“They’ll also be fast-tracking American goods through their customs process, so our exports go to a very, very quick form of approval, and there won’t be any red tape,” Trump said. While a 10% tariff on British goods remains in place, the agreement grants London some relief on imports of automobile and aircraft components and extends an invitation to join a broader “economic security agreement.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the announcement via speakerphone and praised the negotiating team for their work. “This has been under discussion for weeks,” Starmer said, highlighting the roles of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in brokering the deal.

The announcement underscores the growing rapport between Trump and Starmer, who previously met at the White House on February 27th. While the final terms of the deal are still being worked out, the Trump administration has positioned this framework as a significant win in its broader push to restructure global trade in favor of American producers.

Business

Global trade reorder begins in Trump deal with United Kingdom

Published on May 8, 2025

Todayville

From The Center Square

By Brett Rowland

Seeking to reorder global trade with America at the center, President Donald Trump announced the framework of a trade deal with the United Kingdom on Thursday.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, since 2024 leader of a nation that maintains a special relationship with the U.S. including a more even trade balance than with other countries, spoke with the president by phone during an Oval Office meeting Thursday morning.

“This is turning out to be a great deal for both countries,” Trump said.

The 78-year-old second-term Republican president said the deal would improve market access for U.S. products in the United Kingdom, and improve the relationship between the two countries. Trump said it was the first of many deals from his trade team.

The 62-year-old leader of the Labour Party said the deal would create new jobs in both nations.

“We can finishing ironing out some of the details, but there’s a fantastic platform here,” Starmer said, calling the deal “historic.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. has balanced trade with the United Kingdom. Lutnick said it would add $5 billion in market access to the U.S. Lutnick said the United Kingdom would get a 10% tariff on 100,000 automobile imports to the U.S., lower than the 25% tariff on foreign autos for other nations.

Lutnick said the lower tariff would protect jobs in the UK.

On social media, Trump wrote, “Today is an incredible day for America as we deliver our first Fair, Open, and Reciprocal Trade Deal – Something our past Presidents never cared about. Together with our strong Ally, the United Kingdom, we have reached the first, historic Trade Deal since Liberation Day. As part of this Deal, America will raise $6 BILLION DOLLARS in External Revenue from 10% Tariffs, $5 BILLION DOLLARS in new Export Opportunities for our Great Ranchers, Farmers, and Producers, and enhance the National Security of both the U.S. and the UK through the creation of an Aluminum and Steel Trading Zone, and a secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. This Deal shows that if you respect America, and bring serious proposals to the table, America is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Many more to come — STAY TUNED!”

Trump announced a slate of higher tariffs on foreign nations on April 2, which he dubbed “Liberation Day” for American trade. On April 9, Trump paused those higher rates for 90 days to give his trade team time to make deals with other countries.

When Trump temporarily suspended the higher tariffs on April 9, he kept a 10% baseline tariff in place along with a 25% import duty on foreign autos and auto parts. He also kept 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum.

Trump also imposed 145% tariffs on China, which retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods. Those tariffs remain in place, although the two nations are set to begin talks this weekend.

Economists, businesses and many publicly-traded companies have warned that tariffs could raise prices on a wide range of consumer products.

Trump has said he wants to use tariffs to restore manufacturing jobs lost to lower-wage countries in decades past, shift the tax burden away from American families, and pay down the national debt.

A tariff is a tax on imported goods. The importer pays the tax and can either absorb the loss or pass the cost on to consumers through higher prices