Sources in Washington predicted that the US administration would reduce its economic aid to Egypt by half, registering $75m instead of $150m annually, while US military aid will stay at the same level, amounting to $1.3bn. The sources said, on the sidelines of the door-knocking delegation in Washington, that the reduction in US aid has nothing to do with the Egyptian-American political relation. Head of the US-Egypt Business Council (USEBC), Omar Mahana, said that the US would cut its economic aid to several countries, not only Egypt, and the decision does not reflect Trump’s political position towards Egypt. However, Salem pointed out that the Trump administration’s good relationship with the Egyptian side will boost the Egyptian economy, in a way that does not harm the US local economy. He noted that the new US administration has not settled its position towards some bilateral issues with Egypt yet.

Source: Daily News Egypt May 02, 2017 15:11 UTC