Feb 19, 2025 01:18 PM IST
President Trump justified chopping $21 million funding to India for voter turnout, citing excessive taxes and tariffs.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defined why his administration determined to chop the $21 million funding to India for ‘voter turnout’. Calling India “one of many highest taxing international locations on the earth, Trump mentioned the nation already has some huge cash.
“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They’ve much more cash. They’re one of many highest taxing international locations on the earth by way of us; we will hardly get in there as a result of their tariffs are so excessive,” Trump instructed reporters whereas signing government orders at his residence in Mar-a-Lago.
Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi whereas making the remarks, saying that whereas he has a whole lot of respect for India, giving them this quantity was unacceptable.
“I’ve a whole lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, we’re giving USD 21 million for voter turnout. It is voter turnout in India. What about like voter turnout right here?” Trump mentioned.
DOGE tasked with ‘saving cash’
His remarks come days after Elon Musk-led DOGE’s (Division of Authorities Effectivity) introduced that USAID wouldn’t ship cash to India aimed toward boosting voter turnout.
DOGE on February 16 listed objects on which the “US taxpayer {dollars} have been going to be spent” and the listing included “USD 21M for voter turnout in India.” The division introduced that the entire objects have been cancelled.
The listing additionally included $29 million to “strengthening political panorama in Bangladesh”, $20 million for “fiscal federalism” and $19 million for “biodiversity dialog” in Nepal in addition to $47 million for “bettering studying outcomes in Asia”.
The DOGE has been put in control of overseeing workforce discount throughout the federal government, and as a part of that, Musk introduced that he would shut down USAID, which is accountable for humanitarian efforts across the globe.
In line with USAID officers on February 7, all USAID humanitarian work worldwide had been stopped, reported ABC Information.
The company’s web site was shut down earlier than Musk’s announcement. Later, a Trump-nominated choose introduced a brief restraining order that stops the president and DOGE from putting 2,200 workers on administrative depart.
Really useful Subjects
