Trump Administration Plans to Close 27 U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
In Africa, the proposed closures target embassies in Juba (South Sudan), the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Lesotho, the Central African Republic, and The Gambia.
USA President Donald Trump. Photo/France 24.
By Robert Assad
The Trump administration is considering a significant reduction in the United States’ global diplomatic presence, with plans to close 10 embassies and 17 consulates across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN.
This move, part of a broader effort to streamline federal spending, has sparked concerns about its impact on U.S. diplomacy and global influence
In Africa, the proposed closures target embassies in Juba (South Sudan), the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Lesotho, the Central African Republic, and The Gambia.
These six nations, many of which face political instability or economic challenges, rely on U.S. diplomatic outposts for engagement on issues like security and development.
The closures would transfer their functions to embassies in neighboring countries, a move critics argue could weaken U.S. influence in the region.
In Europe, the embassies in Malta and Luxembourg are slated for closure, alongside five consulates in France (Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseilles, Rennes, and Strasbourg), two in Germany (Düsseldorf and Leipzig), and two in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar and Banja Luka).
Additional consulates targeted include one in the United Kingdom (Edinburgh), one in South Africa (Durban), and one in South Korea (Busan). The plan also suggests downsizing U.S. diplomatic missions in Somalia and Iraq, key to counterterrorism efforts
The proposed closures, driven by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency, aim to reduce costs based on consular workload, facility conditions, and security ratings.
The document recommends “FLEX-style light footprint posts” with limited staff and consolidating consular support in countries like Japan and Canada. However, analysts warn that reducing the U.S. diplomatic footprint could cede ground to adversaries like China, which already outnumbers U.S. missions in Africa and East Asia.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment, directing inquiries to the White House. It remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the plan, which is part of a proposed FY2026 budget.
Critics, including foreign policy experts, argue that the closures risk undermining American leadership at a time of global uncertainty
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