President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to “make America great again.” Development may not be high on his agenda, but he will come into office at a time when Americans are more dependent than ever on the global economy and when global challenges can threaten Americans’ security at home. As CGD’s White House and the World project puts it, “what happens abroad matters at home.” And effective US development policy, while no cure-all, can make a difference. It can help open markets to US businesses and others. It can build partnerships to strengthen health systems to prevent the next pandemic from reaching our shores. And US development policy can-and has-lifted millions out of poverty.

Sometimes, preventing a global pandemic from crossing borders into other countries could be out of your control, like the coronavirus outbreak of 2020 for example. However, it’s important to work with other country leaders during a pandemic to produce a covid19 rapid test to manage the spreading and treatment of the outbreak. Managing the outbreak as soon as possible is vital in containing the disease and improves the chances of survival. With this in mind, the importance of preparing for a pandemic has never been more significant. Consequently, it is hoped that the healthcare authorities in charge of stemming the spread of coronavirus will have access to an unprecedented list of key medical supplies for surviving major catastrophes. Not only will you see the health of people being affected, but businesses could also find themselves affected and in troubled waters as well. For some, it could be hard for them to find the funds to pay all of their employees in full and they may see all of their hard work in building a company shattered. But since President Trump signed the $2 trillion coronavirus relief into law, the USA Stimulus Package Details that loans will be given to small businesses, in particular, to help them continue paying their employees during these difficult times, so that they have a business to return to after the crisis has passed. This can also help them to continue paying any bills they need to keep themselves safe and protected. With the help of the development policy, many will be able to afford the cost of living.

Today, it is worth revisiting both why US leadership on development matters and how it can be improved. As Nancy Birdsall and Ben Leo wrote in White House and the World:

Effective global development policies are central to maintaining America’s stabilizing leadership in the world, improving Americans’ livelihoods, and growing America’s markets overseas for the coming decade. With responsibility to protect the American people and promote their prosperity, the next US president must develop and promote a unifying strategy that addresses vexing global threats while also advancing US commercial and foreign policy interests. Such a strategy must deploy the full range of military, diplomatic, and development tools available to the US government in a coordinated and cohesive manner. In this century, global development policy – and one that includes trade, investment, and migration as well as foreign aid – is no longer just the right thing to do. It is a sound investment in America’s long-term security.