The Conversation: U.S. foreign aid, explained
Joannie Tremblay-Boire, assistant professor in the Department of Public Management and Policy at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University

“…With foreign aid on the chopping block, it’s important for Americans to understand how it works, who benefits from it, and how U.S. contributions stack up. I’ve done that here while attempting to debunk three common myths: 1. The U.S. spends too much on foreign aid. 2. The U.S. spends more than its fair share on foreign aid compared to other countries. 3. Corrupt governments squander U.S. foreign aid. … As Congress decides whether to follow Trump’s lead by slashing foreign aid spending, lawmakers should take into account the fact that U.S. taxpayers already spend far less than our global peers on foreign aid. Even without these prospective cuts, other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, are paying far more on economic assistance for the world’s poorest people as a share of their economy than we do. Slashing foreign aid would damage U.S. credibility with our allies, reduce U.S. influence around the globe and — a group of more than 120 retired generals and admirals predict — make Americans less safe” (4/6).