The Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, with 60% of these diplomatic posts in Africa. According to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN, the proposed closures are part of a broader cost-cutting strategy to reduce the U.S. government’s diplomatic footprint.
The U.S. Embassy in South Sudan and several other African embassies, such as those in Lesotho, The Gambia, Eritrea, and the Republic of Congo, are on the chopping block. The proposed plan also includes the closure of consulates in Durban, South Africa, and Douala, Cameroon. These diplomatic posts would be consolidated or have their functions transferred to neighboring countries.
Additionally, embassies in European countries like Malta and Luxembourg are included in the proposed cuts, along with consulates in cities across France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece. The U.S. consulates in Thessaloniki, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and South Korea have been identified as potentially closed. In total, the proposal suggests closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates globally, with a significant portion of the closures targeting diplomatic posts in Africa and Europe.
The closures are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government operations and reduce federal spending. Critics argue this move could weaken the U.S.’s presence in key regions, allowing China to increase its influence, especially in Africa and other areas where the U.S. has had a more significant presence.
Embassies and consulates are critical to the functioning of U.S. diplomacy, providing essential services such as visa processing, assistance to American citizens, and intelligence gathering. The proposed closures, which are still subject to approval by Congress, could significantly impact U.S. diplomatic relations and global influence.
