Consulates in Canada, Grenada, Japan, Indonesia and Cameroon will be shut by the United States under a cost-cutting plan, prompting concerns that China could expand its diplomatic influence in the affected regions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States has notified Congress of plans to close five diplomatic missions across North America, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, a move that has drawn criticism from lawmakers who warn it could create opportunities for China to expand its global diplomatic influence.
According to notices sent to congressional committees, the planned closures affect U.S. diplomatic missions in St. George’s, Grenada; Nagoya, Japan; Medan, Indonesia; Douala, Cameroon; and Winnipeg, Canada.
The closures are part of a broader restructuring of the U.S. State Department under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has cited cost-saving measures and a reassessment of America’s bilateral relationships since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
The decision follows wider efforts led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to streamline the department’s operations. Last year, the State Department laid off more than 1,300 employees, including 246 Foreign Service officers and 1,107 civil servants.
The restructuring has also left more than half of the United States’ 195 ambassadorial positions vacant, including postings in Germany, Cuba, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, according to the American Foreign Service Association.
The planned closures have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue the move could weaken U.S. diplomatic influence and allow China to strengthen its presence in strategically important locations.
Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said China already maintains diplomatic missions in three of the five locations affected by the closures and could use the opportunity to expand its influence.
She argued that the operating costs of the affected missions represent only a small portion of the State Department’s annual budget and questioned whether the savings justify reducing America’s diplomatic footprint.
The decision to shut the U.S. Consulate in Winnipeg has also attracted criticism in Canada, particularly as trade relations remain strained following the Trump administration’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods.
Established in 2001, the Winnipeg consulate has played a key role in supporting trade and investment relations, particularly within Manitoba.
Former political specialist Brad Kirbyson, who served at the consulate for two decades, warned that the closure could weaken U.S. engagement with central Canada and diminish its understanding of regional issues.
While China does not maintain a diplomatic mission in Winnipeg, it has an official presence in St. George’s, Nagoya and Medan, fuelling concerns that Beijing could increase its influence as the United States scales back its diplomatic presence.
Responding to the development, a State Department spokesperson said the department remains committed to complying with congressional notification requirements regarding mission closures.
“We are focused on ensuring our diplomatic footprint is efficient, effective and delivers results for the American people,” the spokesperson said.
Reports indicate that the White House Office of Management and Budget has proposed an even broader plan that could result in the closure of up to 30 U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide.
Democrats and several foreign policy experts have warned that continued reductions in diplomatic missions, alongside the earlier downsizing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), could significantly erode America’s global influence and strategic engagement abroad.
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