U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, and Brian Schatz have written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing deep concern over reports that the State Department is considering withholding critical HIV/AIDS treatment and economic assistance to Zambia unless the country agrees to economic reforms favorable to U.S. businesses.
In their letter, the senators warn that conditioning lifesaving health assistance on commercial concessions would mark a dangerous departure from longstanding bipartisan support for global health programs like PEPFAR. They highlight that such a move could disrupt treatment for 1.3 million HIV-positive Zambians and undermine U.S. credibility and strategic interests in Africa.
The senators acknowledge the importance of the Lobito Corridor project and the strategic value of Zambia’s critical minerals, but argue that leveraging health and development aid to secure economic gains is both unsustainable and counterproductive. They stress that any concessions obtained through coercion are likely to be short-lived, cost lives, and damage long-term U.S.-Zambian relations.
They also point to recent disruptions in global health programs caused by stop-work orders and unclear definitions of “lifesaving” aid, noting that Congress has reaffirmed near-full funding for such assistance. However, they remain concerned that PEPFAR and other health initiatives are not yet fully operational.
The senators urge Secretary Rubio to update guidance for foreign service officers to ensure that commercial diplomacy does not compromise health, development, or national security priorities. They call for a clear policy that commercial interests must do no harm and must align with broader U.S. foreign policy goals.
The letter underscores the delicate balance between advancing U.S. economic interests and maintaining the integrity of global health commitments, particularly in strategically important regions like sub-Saharan Africa.
