U.S. Consulate Closures Considered Amid Debate on Value of Physical Diplomacy

In April 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed reorganizing the State Department by closing 132 domestic offices to improve foreign affairs investment returns. A separate leaked document suggested shuttering 10 embassies and 17 consulates abroad, including posts in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, with some potentially replaced by lighter 'Flex-style' consulates. The high costs of acquiring and maintaining diplomatic properties, such as planning permissions and labor expenses, drive these considerations. However, physical diplomatic outposts offer economic benefits, like facilitating trade deals as seen with the UAE, and soft power advantages, exemplified by Turkey's extensive network and cultural projects. China also expands its global diplomatic footprint for economic and cultural influence.