US urges nations to back ‘trade over aid’ plan as UN warns against privatizing assistance - AP News

The United States is urging other nations to support a "trade over aid" strategy, advocating for economic development through commerce rather than traditional foreign assistance. This push comes as the United Nations simultaneously warns against the privatization of humanitarian aid. The differing approaches highlight a growing tension between market-based solutions and established international development practices. The Trump administration's "trade over aid" plan seeks to foster self-sufficiency in developing countries by prioritizing trade agreements and private sector investment. Conversely, the UN's concern about privatization reflects worries that essential services could become inaccessible or profit-driven, potentially undermining the core principles of humanitarian assistance.