WASHINGTON, USA – The Trump administration is considering the closure of approximately 30 U.S. embassies and consulates as part of an effort to overhaul the country’s foreign operations and reduce costs.
According to reports from CNN, this proposed move could significantly alter the U.S.’s diplomatic footprint globally, including scaling back missions in key countries such as Somalia and Iraq, which have been pivotal to U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
An internal document from the U.S. State Department, quoted by CNN, reveals that the closures would involve 10 embassies and 17 consulates located in various regions, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Some of the embassies potentially affected are in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
The proposal also includes consulates in multiple countries, including five in France, two in Germany, and one each in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea.
The closures have been recommended after assessing factors such as consular workload, cost-effectiveness, and security conditions, alongside input from regional experts.
While it remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the recommendations, the document suggests that U.S. diplomatic operations in these countries would be consolidated with neighboring missions.
The U.S. State Department is reportedly exploring flexible, low-staffing models for diplomatic outposts, such as ‘FLEX-style light footprint posts,’ and positions overseeing multiple missions in an effort to reduce expenses.
If approved, the closures would represent a significant shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy, particularly in regions where U.S. interests remain high.
The move would also have implications for U.S. foreign policy engagement, especially in areas like Africa and Europe, where diplomatic ties are critical for trade, security, and geopolitical influence.
