One China expert told Newsweek that the USAID funding freeze had handed an "enormous gift" to Beijing's push to influence the Global South. Meanwhile, one Kremlin propagandist has said on Russian television that Moscow could exploit the gap left by USAID and project geopolitical power with a similar program.

USAID on Monday told DC-based employees to work remotely. Elon Musk, who is leading DOGE, has vowed to shut down USAID.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said he is feeding the Washington foreign aid agency "into the wood chipper" as part of an effort to slash federal spending.