Trump’s threat: US slashes UN budget by $285m

NEW YORK: The US has slashed its contributions to the United Nations by $285 million for the 2018-19 fiscal year. By announcing the cut, President Trump has achieved another of his commitments made during the presidential campaign.

Calling it “a big step in the right direction,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced the historic reduction in the United Nations biennial operating budget. Haley said “the inefficiency and overspending of the United Nations are well known. We will no longer let the generosity of the American people be taken advantage of or remain unchecked."

She added: “This historic reduction in spending – in addition to many other moves toward a more efficient and accountable UN – is a big step in the right direction.” The United States is seeking a $250 million cut to the UN budget for 2018-19, on top of $200 million in savings already proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, AFP reported two weeks ago. Guterres has proposed capping the UN biennial budget at $5.4 billion, shaving off $200 million from the 2016-17 budget.

The UN's operating budget is separate from its peacekeeping budget, which was cut by $600 million this year, under pressure from President Donald Trump, AFP reported. The US pays about 22 percent of the UN’s budget, or roughly $3.3 billion, and 28 percent of its peacekeeping effort. Trump last week threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that voted in favor of a draft UN resolution calling for the US to withdraw its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.