US Suspends Financial Contributions To WTO Amid Spending Review
The United States has suspended its financial contributions to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to reduce government spending.
The move is part of a broader strategy to distance the US from global institutions that the administration views as conflicting with its “America First” economic agenda. As part of this shift, the US has already cut funding to several international organizations and plans to withdraw from others, including the World Health Organization.
The WTO has faced operational challenges since 2019 when the US blocked new appointments to its top appeals court, effectively crippling its dispute resolution system. Washington has also accused the WTO’s Appellate Body of judicial overreach in trade disputes.
The Geneva-based trade body had a budget of 205 million Swiss francs ($232.06 million) in 2024, with the US expected to contribute around 11%, based on its share of global trade.
On March 4, a US delegate informed a WTO budget meeting that contributions for the 2024 and 2025 budgets were on hold, pending a review of US funding for international organizations. No timeline was given for a final decision.
The White House has yet to comment on the matter. However, according to a State Department spokesperson, President Trump signed an executive order last month directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to conduct a 180-day review of all international organizations the US is a member of, assessing whether they align with US interests.
