by Rajnish Singh
On Monday, 17 March, US President Donald Trump announced the end of funding to Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as part of Elon Musk’s push to cut government spending. These media outlets, started during the Cold War to promote democratic values, have played a crucial role in reporting across Central Asia, the Middle East, and Ukraine, where Russia.
This funding halt follows the withdrawal of USAID, a key tool of US soft power. Millions of people now face losing critical support in health, education, and economic development.
The EU, a major global donor, is now under pressure to fill the financial void left by the US. his opportunity could elevate Europe’s role as a global soft power and counter Russia and China’s expanding influence through initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Russia’s push into Africa.
Soft power initiatives, such as development aid and humanitarian assistance, address the root causes of instability, including poverty, inequality, and governance failure. Thus, they reduce the risks of conflict, migration crises, and extremism. USAID programs have saved millions from diseases like HIV/AIDS, and the EU could continue such efforts to maintain stability, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
By intervening, the EU would reinforce its values of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development, strengthening its global influence. While the EU increases military investments, non-traditional threats like climate change and migration still require a strong soft power approach. Combining both strategies enables the EU to address global challenges effectively, especially as the US retreats from global leadership.
Development assistance also benefits EU businesses by fostering growth in emerging markets. Stable economies are more likely to trade with Europe. For example, supporting renewable energy in Africa advances climate goals while creating markets for EU green technology firms.The EU has already started expanding its soft power.
The Global Gateway initiative pledges billions of Euros to boost investments in health, infrastructure, and sustainability. With China’s BRI criticised for "debt-trap diplomacy" and environmental concerns, the EU can offer a more sustainable and transparent alternative, appealing to nations wary of Chinese influence.
However, stepping into the aid vacuum the US leaves will not be easy to fill and has challenges. Financially, many EU countries face budget constraints and political opposition to increasing aid spending. Germany, France, the UK, and the Netherlands have recently cut their foreign aid budgets. Meanwhile, domestic politics complicates matters, as populist parties like Germany’s AfD and France’s National Rally criticise foreign aid and call for domestic priorities instead.
Despite this, development and humanitarian aid often remain a small fraction of overall government spending. Another challenge with expanding soft power while also investing in military capabilities can strain EU resources and political capital, so requiring careful prioritisation. Also, Europe’s complex aid system, involving multiple institutions and national governments, can slow decision-making and response times during crises.
In addition, the geopolitical landscape presents obstacles. Russia and China, seeing an opportunity, may increase aid to nations willing to accept funding without democratic conditions. The EU must balance its commitment to democratic values with geopolitical realities, ensuring its soft power strategy is not weakened by internal divisions or inconsistent foreign policy messaging.Though Trump’s decision to cut USAID funding disrupts global aid and development efforts, it presents an opportunity for the EU to enhance its soft power.
By stepping up, the EU can reinforce its leadership, counterbalance China and Russia, and address global challenges affecting its security and economic interests. Especially since Europe is unlikely to match the US and China in terms of military hard power. Instead, it, therefore, must leverage and expand its soft power if it wants to remain competitive for global influence. However, the key question now is, can Brussels overcome financial, bureaucratic, and political hurdles to seize this opportunity effectively?
By: N. Peter Kramer
