On Tuesday, April 15th, the Trump Administration is thinking about shutting down almost 30 U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe, with 60% of these diplomatic locations situated in Africa. An internal document from the State Department that CNN has acquired reveals that these potential closures are part of a wider plan aimed at reducing the costs associated with the U.S. diplomatic presence.
Embassies in South Sudan and a few other locations in Africa, such as Lesotho, The Gambia, Eritrea, and the Republic of Congo, are under consideration for closure. The plan also suggests shutting down consulates located in Durban, South Africa, and Douala, Cameroon, with plans to merge these posts or move their operations to nearby nations.
Moreover, embassies in certain European countries, like Malta and Luxembourg, are also on the list for possible cuts, alongside consulates in various cities in France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece. Consulates in Thessaloniki, Greece, as well as those in Italy, Portugal, and South Korea, have been highlighted as candidates for closure. Altogether, the proposal indicates a shutdown of 10 embassies and 17 consulates worldwide.
These proposed closures are part of Trump’s efforts to make governmental operations more efficient and to cut down on federal expenditures. Detractors of this approach argue that such actions might reduce the U.S. ’s influence in important areas, creating room for China to expand its reach, particularly in Africa and other regions where America has traditionally held a stronger position.
Embassies and consulates play a vital role in U.S. diplomacy, offering key services like visa processing, support for American citizens, and intelligence collection. If these closures go ahead, which still require Congressional approval, it could have a meaningful effect on U.S. diplomatic relationships and its global standing.
