WASHINGTON —  In his remarks, President Trump announced a commitment to end AIDS in the United States by 2030.

In response, Tom Hart, the North America executive director for The ONE Campaign, said:

“The decision by the president to highlight AIDS at the State of the Union puts a needed spotlight on the fact that AIDS isn’t a disease of the past, it’s a crisis of now. Any response to end this disease needs to be robust, global and inclusive. Diseases like AIDS don’t respect borders. Ending AIDS in the US requires that we fight AIDS around the world – as the president said, we must defeat AIDS ‘in America and beyond.’ We can win this fight, but actions speak louder than words. For the past two years, the Trump administration has proposed drastic cuts to global AIDS programs. If the White House continues to pursue a strategy of slashing billions of dollars to investments like PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, we cannot make progress strengthening health security at home and abroad.”

“American foreign assistance and global leadership saves lives, lifts people out of poverty, promotes stability, spurs economic growth, and brings hope to millions. It also moves us closer to the day in which American foreign assistance is no longer needed. We hope President Trump’s upcoming budget proposal will reflect these priorities, focus on those who need it most, and fully-fund America’s global poverty and health programs.”