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The Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 embassies and consulates worldwide, aiming to reduce spending and overhaul U.S. diplomacy. The proposed move could disrupt visa services, impact foreign relations, and reshape the American presence abroad.
In a bold move that could reshape United States diplomacy, the Trump administration is weighing the closure of nearly 30 embassies and consulates worldwide, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN.
The proposed plan includes shuttering 10 embassies and 17 consulates, primarily across Europe and Africa, with some closures in Asia and the Caribbean as well. These missions serve as critical points for visa processing, citizen services, and foreign policy representation.
Where Are the Closures Targeted?
Embassies identified for potential shutdown include:
• Malta
• Luxembourg
• Lesotho
• Republic of Congo
• Central African Republic
• South Sudan
Consulates at risk include:
• Five in France
• Two in Germany
• Two in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• One each in the UK, South Africa, and South Korea
These posts would likely be replaced by regional support hubs, with neighbouring embassies taking over responsibilities. This could mean longer wait times for visa applications, passport renewals, and emergency services for Americans abroad.
What’s Driving This Massive Diplomatic Cut?
This plan is part of a broader campaign to slash government spending and shrink the federal bureaucracy. The initiative is backed by the Elon Musk-supported Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new body aimed at streamlining international operations.
The Trump administration argues that many U.S. missions overseas are redundant or underutilised, especially in areas with low strategic value or declining demand for services.
There’s also talk of downsizing operations in Iraq and Somalia, and introducing “FLEX-style” missions, leaner diplomatic posts with limited staff. Bigger hubs like those in Japan and Canada may absorb additional responsibilities.
Why Is Trump Doing This?
This move aligns with Trump’s long-standing agenda to “put America first”, reduce federal spending, and rethink U.S. engagement abroad. Here’s what’s behind the push:
• Cost-cutting: Trimming the budget of U.S. diplomatic operations is seen as “non-essential.”
• Efficiency: Shifting from a traditional diplomatic footprint to more centralised models.
• National focus: Prioritising domestic issues over expansive global involvement.
Key Immigration Reforms Under Trump’s Second Term
This potential embassy downsizing follows several major immigration-related reforms by the Trump administration in recent months:
• Reinstating the travel ban on citizens from certain Muslim-majority countries.
• Restricting asylum eligibility at the southern border.
• Reintroducing “Remain in Mexico” policies for asylum seekers.
• Tightening H-1B visa conditions and reducing green card allocations.
These reforms aim to curb immigration, tighten border control, and streamline U.S. immigration policies, though critics argue they also limit global mobility and damage America’s international standing.
Consolidating Services: A Practical Approach?
The plan proposes that neighbouring embassies pick up the slack, essentially consolidating services. For instance, if the consulate in a smaller city closes, the main embassy in the country’s capital would handle everything. This raises questions about potential delays and increased burdens on existing embassies.
Impact on American Travellers and Expats
For US nationals living or travelling abroad, these closures could mean longer travel times to access consular services, such as passport renewals or emergency assistance. It could also affect the support networks and community connections that embassies and consulates provide.
Final Thoughts for Travellers and Expats
If these closures go ahead, visa applicants and American travellers could face longer delays, limited consular access, and fewer in-country resources. It’s important to stay updated through the U.S. State Department’s website for the latest changes in consular services.
As the world navigates shifting geopolitical priorities, this move signals that the Trump administration is taking a leaner, more transactional approach to diplomacy, one that may leave some regions with less U.S. presence and influence.
Source: https://travelobiz.com/trump-us-embassy-closures-visa-services-europe-africa-asia/
