No Scaling Back, No Business as Usual: A Strong New Development Policy

Development policy had come under pressure even before US President Donald Trump began slashing funding to the US Agency for International Development (USAID). However, it is an important element in the response to global challenges such as geopolitical competition. That said, a change of direction is also needed in this key policy area.

• It would be a mistake to scale back Germany's development engagement, especially with African countries. Development policy is essential for providing global public goods such as climate protection or combating pandemics, and thus also serves German interests.

• There can be no “business as usual.” There is an urgent need for improved coordination at the interface between climate and development policy, and between foreign trade and development policy. More effective and efficient development cooperation must systematically address what works and what does not, while keeping an eye on costs.

• Development policy should be part of a European package that strengthens multilateralism and positions Germany and the EU as an alternative both to the US under Trump and to authoritarian offers.

• The focus should be on genuine partnerships with strategically selected countries in the Global South. These partnerships should be based on a shared commitment to Agenda 2030 and to the Paris Agreement. The responsible ministry’s own political agenda should be of secondary importance.

Policy Implications

As a “soft” instrument for advancing German interests, development policy is only suitable as part of a European offer that is negotiated and designed with partner countries in the Global South. A future development ministry could see itself much more as a coordinator of economic, climate, and development cooperation than it has been to date.

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