Trump administration could lead to budget cuts, leadership shakeup at UN

A Donald Trump presidency is expected to bring significant changes to the United Nations (U.N.), with potential funding cuts looming large on the horizon. Currently, the U.N. relies heavily on the U.S. for about a third of its budget, with President Biden increasing U.S. financial contributions to the organization from $11.6 billion in 2020 to $18.1 billion in 2022. This substantial increase gives the U.S. the leverage to withhold funds from the U.N. if its global interests do not align with those of the U.S., a move that some Republicans have already advocated for.

In 2022, the U.S. outpaced other major contributors to the U.N., such as Germany and Japan, by a significant margin. The U.S.’s financial support plays a crucial role in funding various U.N. programs, including aid programs, the World Food Programme, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the International Organization for Migration.

With a Trump administration potentially at the helm, there is speculation that the U.S. may once again withdraw from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accords and the U.N. Global Compact on Migration. Trump is also likely to scrutinize the U.N.’s budget and funding allocations, with possible cuts to programs like UNRWA.

Moreover, Trump may seek to reshape the leadership of key U.N. agencies like UNICEF and the World Food Programme to challenge U.N. orthodoxy and counter China’s increasing influence within the organization. China has significantly expanded its presence at the U.N. over the years, with the number of Chinese nationals employed at the organization doubling from 2009 to 2021.

Despite potential funding cuts and policy shifts, it is unlikely that a Trump administration would completely disengage from the U.N. Trump has previously maintained a good relationship with Secretary General António Guterres and has recognized the value of the organization as a meeting place for world leaders.

In conclusion, a Donald Trump presidency is sure to have reverberations at the United Nations, particularly in terms of funding and policy decisions. The U.S.’s financial contributions play a critical role in supporting various U.N. programs, and any potential cuts or shifts in funding could have far-reaching implications for the organization and its operations.