Funding for Vietnam's Agent Orange cleanup reinstated

A cleanup project at a former U.S. air base in Vietnam has been halted due to funding cuts from the Trump administration. This project aimed to remove dioxin-contaminated soil from the site, which is linked to the U.S. military's use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The funding cuts affected not only the Agent Orange cleanup but also programs for clearing unexploded munitions, supporting war victims, and creating a museum exhibit on wartime remediation efforts. Critics warn that these cuts pose health risks to people living nearby and could harm U.S.-Vietnam relations, which have improved significantly since the war ended in 1975. Although funding for the Bien Hoa air base cleanup was briefly restored, there are concerns about the future of this and other programs. Senior officials are unsure how funds will be managed due to a lack of USAID personnel available to oversee operations. As the U.S. and Vietnam approach significant anniversaries related to the Vietnam War and their diplomatic normalization, the halt in funding underscores the complex history between the two nations. Since the 1990s, U.S. assistance has helped Vietnam deal with the war's aftermath, including health issues caused by Agent Orange. The Trump administration had frozen foreign assistance funding, claiming wastefulness, but the ongoing conflict legacy projects are deemed crucial for both countries. A federal judge recently ruled that the dismantling of USAID may have violated the Constitution, blocking further cuts but not fully restoring operations. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry has expressed concern about the impact of halted projects on environmental and human safety. Experts suggest that U.S. reliability as a partner is now in question, which could affect future military cooperation and arms purchases. While some programs, like the search for missing American troops, remain funded, Vietnam has had its own efforts to identify missing soldiers impacted by the cuts. The U.S. also plans to showcase its commitment to addressing wartime legacies in a new museum exhibit, though funding for this project is still uncertain.