The United States Department of State has informed Congress of its plans to close five overseas diplomatic missions as part of a rare reduction of America’s global diplomatic presence, according to people familiar with the matter.
The proposed closures involve US missions in St. George’s, Grenada; Nagoya, Japan; Medan, Indonesia; Douala, Cameroon; and Winnipeg, Canada.
Sources said the notification was sent to several congressional committees late last week. The individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because the notice has not been made public.
If implemented, the closures would mark one of the few occasions the US has shut down multiple overseas missions without being driven by a specific geopolitical crisis.
During the early months of President Donald Trump’s administration last year, the State Department reportedly began planning to close nearly a dozen foreign missions as part of broader efforts to reshape the federal government under Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Reports indicate that the White House Office of Management and Budget had even proposed shutting as many as 30 overseas missions, with some administration officials arguing that smaller diplomatic posts were no longer essential or cost-effective.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and former foreign policy officials, have warned that reducing the US diplomatic network, combined with the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), could weaken American global influence and create opportunities for rivals such as China and Russia to expand their presence.
Although the State Department underwent a major restructuring last year, eliminating dozens of offices and hundreds of positions, no overseas missions were closed at that time.
Responding to media inquiries, the State Department did not confirm the planned closures but said it remains committed to maintaining an efficient and effective diplomatic network while following all congressional notification procedures.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended cost-cutting measures, saying they are necessary to streamline what many conservatives view as an overly large and bureaucratic department.
Among the missions reportedly affected, the facility in St. George’s serves as a US embassy, while the posts in Medan, Winnipeg and Nagoya are consulates. The office in Douala operates as an embassy branch office.
During former President Joe Biden’s administration, the US expanded its diplomatic footprint by opening several new missions across the Pacific region as part of efforts to counter China’s growing influence.
While China does not maintain diplomatic missions in Douala or Winnipeg, it does have diplomatic offices in St. George’s, Nagoya and Medan.
