Key Facts
• After Trump took office, USAID abruptly cut funding for NGOs aiding Myanmar refugee students.
• USAID, active since 1961 in about 130 countries, faced major staff cuts under Trump.
• Trump called USAID “corrupt and incompetent” in February 2025.
• Trump administration ordered withdrawal from 66 international organizations, including 31 UN agencies.
• Myanmar refugees face a worsening food crisis due to loss of U.S. aid.
• Violence and refugee numbers in Myanmar are increasing despite food shortages.
• Trump administration lifted some sanctions on Myanmar’s military regime post-2021 coup.
• U.S. revoked protection status for Myanmar refugees in the U.S. as of January 2026.
• Myanmar military spokesperson praised Trump’s policies as positive.
• Experts warn U.S. disengagement may boost China and Russia’s influence in Myanmar.
• Professor Mao Imamura states U.S. democracy support in Myanmar has effectively ended.
• Concerns rise that U.S. foreign policy now sidelines vulnerable populations if not aligned with U.S. interests.
Summary
One year into the Trump administration, U.S. international aid has sharply declined, severely impacting Myanmar refugees fleeing ongoing conflict. NGOs supporting refugee children’s education in Thailand lost most of their funding from USAID after a sudden cut. USAID, a key U.S. development agency since 1961, faced major downsizing amid Trump’s criticism of corruption. The administration also withdrew from numerous international bodies. As a result, Myanmar refugees now face a critical food shortage amid escalating violence and displacement. The U.S. has eased some sanctions on Myanmar’s military regime and ended refugee protections, signaling a major shift away from its longstanding democracy promotion. Myanmar’s military welcomed these changes, while experts warn that reduced U.S. involvement risks expanding Chinese and Russian influence. Scholars conclude that the U.S. democracy support framework in Myanmar has effectively ended, raising concerns that vulnerable groups may be abandoned if their plight does not serve U.S. interests. This marks a significant transformation in U.S. foreign policy and international cooperation values.
