Trump’s budget proposals have big shifts from Obama administration

World Today

With increases in defense spending and major cuts to international aid and diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s budget proposals are a big shift from the Obama administration.

CGTN’s Nathan King reports.

Unveiled in Washington on Thursday the White house said it is delivering on Trump’s campaign promises.

But even members of the President’s own party said these proposals have little hope of passing.

The White House is calling the hard power budget blueprint not a soft power budget and it’s easy to see why.

U.S. defense spending will increase by $54 billion or 9 percent in 2018, US Homeland security focusing on border protection up 7 percent. But huge proposed cuts to the US State Department 29 percent, environment slashed by 31 percent health by 18% Transportation by 13 percent.

Some funding for United Nations programs will be cut by 50 percent that could hit peacekeeping operations, child and maternal health and development assistance around the world- the UN Climate fund is also slashed by $350 million as is the agency that helped battle the Zika and Ebola viruses.

The U.S. legislature the Congress has the final say on the budget proposals from the White House, opposition is strong even from some in his own party and from Democrats.