UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his re-election as U.S. President, emphasizing the UN’s commitment to “constructive” collaboration with his administration despite differing viewpoints. Guterres highlighted the importance of U.S.-UN cooperation as a cornerstone of international relations and expressed the UN’s readiness to address global challenges collaboratively with the U.S.
In his message, Guterres commended the American public’s active participation in the democratic process. He acknowledged Trump’s past criticisms of multilateral institutions and climate change efforts, such as his decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and UNESCO, yet expressed optimism for productive engagement. Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, underscored the positive rapport between Guterres and Trump, affirming that policy disagreements never hindered engagement.
As the UN’s largest financial contributor, the U.S. plays a crucial role, funding 22% of its general budget and 26% of its peacekeeping initiatives. Guterres acknowledged that while the Paris Climate Accord would endure without U.S. involvement, American participation is vital to global efforts to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Trump’s “America First” policy may see a continuation at the UN, reminiscent of former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s approach. Haley had emphasized U.S. strength and warned that countries failing to align with U.S. interests would face consequences.
