Latest news with #PaulGuaglianone
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State Department sends Congress letter saying it's taking over USAID
(NewsNation) — The State Department sent a letter Friday to Congress stating it will be taking over the functions of the United States Agency for International Development by July 1, 2025, effectively terminating all employees and closing the agency. In a separate memo to employees of USAID, the State Department noted all positions not established by law will be eliminated. This 'Reduction-In-Force' will take place on one of two separation dates: July 1 or September 2, 2025. NewsNation has obtained copies of both documents from a source familiar with USAID operations. Employees of USAID were also asked to leave the office midday today, according to an employee NewsNation spoke with as they departed. Trump tells automakers not to raise prices over tariff: Official The letter to Congress, written by Paul Guaglianone, senior bureau official in the Department of State's Bureau of Legislative Affairs, notes their intent is 'to undertake a reorganization that would involve realigning certain USAID functions to the Department by July 1, 2025, and discontinuing the remaining USAID functions that do not align with Administration priorities.' The letter delineates that the five bureaus of USAID would be folded into the six regional bureaus of the Department of State and says global health programs, like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, would be folded into State's Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy. Both the memo and letter say the State Department will conduct a separate hiring process to fill its foreign assistance capacity, and USAID employees will be eligible to apply for those roles. Jeremy Konyndyk, the current president of Refugees International and former USAID official, pushed back on the State Department's announcement, pointing out that closing USAID is illegal without congressional approval. He told NewsNation that Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'is giving away the game here. He clearly does not intend any substantive consultation with Congress, much less a legislative reform package. He is trying to unlawfully circumvent Congress and daring them to stop him. Congress should push back hard against this effort to undermine its authority and Constitutional role.' This comes on the same day that an earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand. Department of State spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said that 'USAID has maintained a team of experts to provide immediate assistance.' Federal judge 'misinterpreted' Alien Enemies Act: Lawyer When NewsNation asked the State Department who was going to be sent to support relief efforts, no response was provided. Konyndyk said it was his understanding that the 'small unit that had been trying to cobble together support for this earthquake response' was told to leave the office by 1 p.m. ET. He also said the bulk of staff who normally launch major disaster responses, the DART teams, had already gotten their termination notices and that the logistics contracts used to deploy relief flights and search-and-rescue teams were terminated in the DOGE cuts. 'I don't think Tammy Bruce has any idea what she's talking about. It's pretty hard to mount a disaster response without responders and supplies,' said Konyndyk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Korea Herald
20-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
US monitoring Korea Zinc takeover amid China supply chain concerns
The US State Department said it is closely monitoring the private equity firm MBK Partners' attempt to take over Korea Zinc, the world's largest zinc smelter, amid growing concerns among US lawmakers that the deal could disrupt critical mineral supply chains and expand China's control in a sector the US considers vital to national security. The State Department's remarks came in an official response to concerns raised last month by Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, who warned that MBK Partners' potential acquisition of Korea Zinc could increase Beijing's leverage over critical mineral supply chains, heightening the risks of economic coercion and technology leakage. 'The ROK knows first-hand the risks of economic retaliation and coercion by China and has been an active participant in Minerals Security Partnership since its founding,' said Paul Guaglianone, senior bureau official of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs at the State Department, in a response to Nunn posted on his X account. ROK is the acronym of South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. 'Additionally, Korean companies are leaders throughout the critical minerals supply chain and are vital partners in countering Chinese market manipulation," he said. Guaglianone added that the State Department is aware of the ongoing situation regarding Korea Zinc and 'engages regularly' with South Korean officials to discuss this and other issues. 'We understand that the ROK is also closely tracking the situation, including any potential impact.' The State Department US policy prioritizes expanding production of critical minerals and diversifying supply chains to protect the economic and national security of the US and its allies, it said. 'The ROK will continue to be a key ally in diversifying supply chains, and the Department will continue to collaborate with it to protect our economic and national security,' it added. 'The department will continue to work to counter Chinese efforts to dominate critical minerals supply chains, including through active participation in the MSP.' Korea Zinc produces several rare metals crucial for semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy and defense projects directly tied to US security interests. These include antimony, indium, tellurium and cadmium, all of which China has restricted from exporting. The dispute began late last year when MBK, partnering with Young Poong, Korea Zinc's largest shareholder, sought greater influence over Korea Zinc's management. The MBK faction holds a 40.97 percent stake in Korea Zinc, compared to the 34.35 percent held by Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom and his allies, including Bain Capital. The takeover caught US attention following accusations that MBK has strong ties to Chinese capital. The controversy intensified when it was revealed that China Investment Corporation, China's sovereign wealth fund, is among MBK Partner's limited partners, raising concerns about potential leakage of technology or talent. In response, MBK said Chinese capital represents only around 5 percent of MBK's funding and firmly denied plans to sell Korea Zinc to Chinese interests.
