The Trump administration will send an initial payment toward billions in overdue United Nations dues within weeks.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told Fox News Digital the payment comes with strings attached. He rejected claims that America bears responsibility for the organization’s cash crisis.
“The United States pays to the U.N. system more than 180 countries combined,” Waltz said. “We have historically been the largest supporter of the U.N., but under President Trump, we’re demanding reform.”
Waltz said the administration’s pressure has already produced results. The U.N. agreed to cut nearly 3,000 headquarters positions and approved its first budget reduction in 80 years. The organization also plans to reduce global peacekeeping forces by 25%. (RELATED: ‘Adapt, Shrink Or Die’: Trump Admin Announces Major UN Aid Shake-Up)
The U.S. owes roughly $2.19 billion to the U.N.’s regular budget as of early February, according to Reuters. America also carries an additional $2.4 billion in unpaid peacekeeping assessments and $43.6 million for U.N. tribunals.
President Donald Trump signed a spending bill Feb. 3 that includes $3.1 billion for U.S. dues to the U.N. and other international organizations.
The United States will make an initial payment toward the billions of dollars it owes to the United Nations in a matter of weeks, the U.S. ambassador to the world body said Friday. https://t.co/stDqQ970mG
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) February 7, 2026
“You’ll certainly see an initial tranche of money very shortly,” Waltz told Reuters. “It’ll be a significant down payment on our annual dues.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last month the 193-member body risks “imminent financial collapse” and could exhaust its funds by July.
Waltz told Fox News Digital the U.N. has strayed from its founding mission and grown bloated.
“The U.N.’s budget has quadrupled in the last 25 years,” he said. “We haven’t seen a quadrupling of peace around the world. In fact, it’s gone the opposite direction.”
Waltz pointed to redundancy within the organization, noting seven U.N. agencies list climate change as their primary focus.
“Now, regardless of the climate change debate, we don’t need seven,” Waltz said.