Congress recently approved President Donald Trump’s request to claw back $9.4 billion in previously approved funding. Although the rescissions bill reflected savings from deep cuts to foreign aid, its passage does not mean the United States is, or should be, retreating from using effective soft power tools to advance American interests abroad.

Trump has shown his impulse is to use the tools he has available to protect and promote the interests of the U.S., even if pundits are skeptical. The president now has the opportunity to use foreign aid tools to meet American interests more effectively and efficiently moving forward.