Trump officials threaten deeper UN funding cuts while promoting new ‘trade over aid’ global strategy

US President Donald Trump’s administration is increasing pressure on the United Nations as it pushes a new “trade over aid” strategy while warning of possible budget cuts to international agencies.

According to reports from Devex, US diplomatic notes sent to Geneva and New York suggested Washington could withhold funding unless the UN adopted major reforms, including cuts to peacekeeping operations and travel spending.

The move comes after the administration dismantled much of USAID, resulting in mass layoffs and cuts to global aid programmes.

Agencies including the World Health Organization and UNESCO have also lost US support.

At the UN last week, US ambassador Mike Waltz defended the new policy, saying: “What you’ll typically hear is that the United States is walking away from aid, or are all the United States is walking away from the UN, it’s turning its back on the world. And I can tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres responded by saying unpaid US contributions were “non-negotiable”.

Aid organisations warn the cuts could have severe global consequences, including reduced healthcare, education and food support for millions of vulnerable people worldwide.