Letter to the editor: Investing abroad makes for more stable world

With the U.S. economy struck hard by covid-19, you may think an easy budget cut would be the international affairs budget, but I urge you to reconsider. Former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge said, “By building new markets overseas for American products, the international affairs budget creates jobs and boosts the economy here at home.”

When we invest abroad, we see job creation, investment opportunities and economic growth for both the U.S. and the host country. As a Borgen Project ambassador, my eyes have been opened to the importance of protecting our international affairs budget. (The Borgen Project is a nonprofit organization working to end global poverty and hunger.) For example, $1.7 billion of foreign aid provided to Mexico from 1960-2005 has turned to $265 billion worth of exports annually.

The U.S. government investing in the international affairs budget has had a huge impact on creating not only a more profitable but a healthier, safer and more stable world.

Taylor Ridilla

Hempfield

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