US diplomats fear drastic Trump funding cut

President Donald Trump's review of government spending has forced US diplomats to consider drastic budget cuts they fear would harm their ability to head off conflict -- and silence a superpower.

Already sidelined by Trump's foreign policy inner circle, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's State Department has reportedly now been asked to suggest ways to slash 37 percent from its $50 billion budget.

Serving State Department staff said budget negotiations are "in the early stages" -- but there was no disguising the grim mood in the building, and former senior officials were scathing in their criticism of the idea.

Read the full article from The Associated Press.