The Trump administration is reportedly weighing the closure of nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe as part of a broader effort to reduce the country’s diplomatic presence amid an ongoing tariff war. This potential move comes as internal discussions within the State Department explore cost-cutting strategies that would significantly alter the landscape of American foreign diplomacy.
An internal State Department document, obtained by CNN, outlines recommendations prepared by the undersecretary for management. The proposed changes focus heavily on Africa and Europe, suggesting the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates.
Among the diplomatic missions proposed for shutdown are embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. Consulates under review span several high-profile locations, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, South Korea, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
While the primary objective of these closures is to streamline government operations, plans indicate that responsibilities would be shifted to neighbouring missions to ensure continued diplomatic coverage in affected regions. The document also proposes scaling back the U.S. presence in conflict-prone areas such as Iraq and Somalia. To maintain a minimal footprint, it suggests the establishment of “FLEX-style light footprint posts” staffed by smaller teams with limited responsibilities.
Further consolidation is also being considered in more stable countries. The document highlights the idea of merging consulate services into larger centralised units at key missions in countries like Japan and Canada, citing these models as potentially more efficient.
Despite the detailed proposals, it is still uncertain whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally backed the suggested closures. The recommendations have not yet moved beyond the internal review stage, leaving their fate undecided.
When questioned on the matter, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce refrained from confirming the document’s validity or disclosing any specifics. “I would suggest that you check with the White House and the president of the US as they continue to work on their budget plan,” she said during a daily press briefing. Bruce also dismissed some reports as speculative, referencing “leaked documents from unknown sources.”
The document explains that posts selected for closure were assessed through various criteria including regional bureau feedback, interagency consultation, consular workload, cost effectiveness, facility condition, and security considerations. These benchmarks were used to evaluate which missions could be closed or merged without significantly diminishing their operational roles.
In regard to Japan and Canada, the proposal stresses that concentrating consulate support at larger missions could improve efficiency and reduce operational expenses—possibly serving as a model for other global locations.
While the Trump administration frames this potential overhaul as a fiscally prudent strategy in line with broader budgetary goals, some critics contend that it could significantly weaken U.S. diplomatic influence. Foreign policy analysts caution that reducing America’s presence abroad may hinder its ability to respond to international crises, particularly in regions where strategic competition with powers like China and Russia is intensifying.
U.S. embassies and consulates serve as critical instruments of foreign policy, offering services such as visa processing and support for American citizens overseas. They also gather valuable intelligence for Washington and represent national interests abroad. Although many consulates operate with relatively small teams, their closures could still impact the U.S.’s ability to engage diplomatically—especially in contested regions where influence is key.