The United States has halted its contributions to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to cut government spending.
The move is in line with Trump’s “America First” economic policies, which have led to reduced U.S. engagement with global institutions. His administration has previously withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) and reduced funding for other international organizations.
The WTO had an annual budget of 205 million Swiss francs in 2024, with the U.S. responsible for about 11 per cent. However, at a WTO budget meeting held on March 4, a U.S. delegate stated that payments for the 2024 and 2025 budgets were on hold pending a review of contributions to international organizations. The U.S. has not provided a timeline for when a decision will be made.
President Donald Trump has also put the U.S. on a broader shift away from international institutions he and his allies see as conflicting with their “America First” economic agenda.
That shift includes imposing steep tariffs on American trading partners and pulling away from international bodies including the WTO, the World Health Organization, the United Nations and foreign aid initiatives.