Trump’s a la carte approach to the UN: What’s on the menu – and what’s not
Washington may be cutting back its multilateral engagement, but it is still keeping a seat at the table, while building alternatives of its own.
During his second term, US President Donald Trump has implemented a selective approach to multilateral engagement with international institutions, withdrawing from some bodies while maintaining others. This strategy came after a 2025 review aimed at identifying which organizations align with US interests. In January, Trump directed the US to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including 31 UN entities like the UN Population Fund, UN Women, and ESCAP.
The administration also reduced humanitarian contributions to the UN, from a peak of $17.2 billion in 2022 to $3.38 billion in 2025. Despite these cuts, the Trump administration has continued to fund selected parts of the UN system, such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme. The US retains its permanent seat on the UN Security Council, giving it the power to veto resolutions and influence decisions on its next secretary-general.
However, some experts argue that the Trump administration's approach may limit its leverage to drive reforms in international organizations.
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