GARDNER, Massachusetts — In April 2025, United States President, Donald Trump, implemented tariffs under the International Emergency Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). This imposes high taxes on foreign goods, including essential imports like medicine and food. Trump’s tariffs, which start at 10% and go much higher for countries with large U.S. trade deficits, are already disrupting global aid efforts and threatening poverty reduction programs worldwide.
According to the IEEPA, Presidents have the authority to interfere with federal economic transactions once they have declared a national emergency. Trump argues the tariffs will boost the U.S. economy and protect citizens’ jobs and sovereignty. However, economists state that this plan could harm the U.S., raising the chances of a recession, because to account for the higher prices, businesses must pass those costs onto consumers. Similarly, the nations that tariffs hit will likely hit back and tax U.S. goods. China has recently imposed a 125% tax to fight the 145% tax that the U.S. imposed. As costs rise, foreign aid organizations may have to reduce operations, halting the delivery of food, water and shelter to those in greatest need. As a result, poverty may also increase, especially in countries that rely on aid the most.
How Trump’s Tariffs Could Disrupt Developing Economies
The trade war that persists between China and the U.S. could cause major damage to global supply chains due to the increased costs of goods. The impact of Trump’s and his administration’s tariffs on aid is severe. Tariffs reaching up to 50% on goods from some of the world’s poorest countries, are severely affecting labor-intensive export industries. Nations that depend on foreign aid and exports to the U.S. like Madagascar, Somalia and Vietnam could experience economic downturns that threaten to reverse years of development progress.
Humanitarian organizations in these countries rely on affordable international goods to aid and shelter their people. In Sudan, for example, more than 10 million citizens were to receive health services from local clinics. However, the freeze on humanitarian aid forces the organizations to suspend operations due to supply shortages. With a poverty rate of 66% as of 2022 and ongoing conflicts, humanitarian aid is essential to protecting Sudan’s population.
In early 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14169, which ordered a 90-day pause on nearly all U.S. foreign development and humanitarian aid. This affects vital programs that provide assistance to countries facing climate disasters, conflict and extreme poverty, like USAID. Sub-Saharan Africa saw cuts to programs fighting malaria and AIDS, and providing clean water. The nations that tariffs already hurt now find themselves with no safety net. Annually, the U.S. contributes $200 million in aid to Myanmar, and $40 million is dedicated to health care. Now, invoked with a 45% tariff and the cessation of aid, seven out of nine hospitals hosting 80,000 refugees have closed. This is also significant to the fact that poverty has been a consistent issue in the country as half of the population live below the poverty line.
Protect Humanitarian Aid Through Congress
In response to the humanitarian fallout of Trump’s tariff policies, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which oversees legislation relating to foreign assistance, is currently drafting legislation that would exempt critical humanitarian goods, such as vaccines, food and medical supplies, from future tariff increases declared during national emergencies. Indeed, this legislation would require the U.S. Trade Representative and USAID to maintain a humanitarian goods list to ensure those goods are protected. This bill aims to provide stability in vulnerable communities and to ensure they are not collateral damage in global economic conflicts.
The Global Food Security Act
Advocacy from citizens, nonprofits and humanitarian organizations would be crucial to passing this legislation. Persistent public advocacy is directly demonstrated through the successful passage of the Global Food Security Act in 2016, a law that boosted the U.S. efforts to combat global hunger and provide nutrition. By passing legislation that carves out humanitarian aid exemptions, Congress can ensure that global aid efforts remain resilient, even during times of economic conflict such as in the case of President Trump’s tariffs. With the right policies in play, the U.S. upholds its goals in security and as a humanitarian leader.
– Kassandra Ticas
Kassandra is based in Gardner, MA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.
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