The United States has a unique position in the international development debate which makes it difficult to know whether to applaud or to criticise it. While it is the largest contributor of aid in absolute terms, it is the smallest contributor in relative terms, mainly because its economy is so much larger than any other.

The current US administration, under the leadership of President Bush, has done more than most of its predecessors to tackle international poverty. It has already tripled aid to Africa since coming to power four years ago, and has made a commitment to a further doubling of aid by 2010.

President Bush has also launched the Millennium Challenge Account which promises to provide increased levels of funding to nations which demonstrate good governance, thereby rewarding effective leadership and encouraging failing regimes to reform.

The HIV/AIDS program has also been given a large boost in funding and promotes the ABC approach (Abstinence, Be Faithful and Contraception) which has the potential to address the root causes of the problem.

Despite the commitment by the President there are some concerns about whether Congress will approve such large contributions in the current era when budget deficits are becoming uncomfortably large. This means that the USA needs to be encouraged to fulfil its promises even in times when other issues closer to home dominate the agenda.