Originally published in The Hill on March 4, 2025.
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze and reduce foreign aid weakens national security, creating a vacuum that China is rapidly filling through strategic lending and infrastructure investments. China leverages this influence to counter American interests, strengthen authoritarian regimes, and extend its military reach.
China has cultivated close ties with political elites and citizens in the Global South, securing influence through direct financial incentives. While China’s reputation may have declined in Western nations, it remains a favored development partner in many regions. It strengthens ties by directly funding projects in leaders’ home regions, reinforcing political loyalty. Studies show that Chinese-funded infrastructure projects are significantly more likely to be allocated to the birth regions of African presidents, reinforcing China’s strategic relationships.