The United States has suspended its financial contributions to the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters.
The Trump administration continues to distance itself from global institutions it views as conflicting with its “America First” economic policy. It has already planned to withdraw from some organizations, such as the World Health Organization, and has reduced contributions to others as part of a broader review of federal spending. Media reports also suggest a potential reassessment of U.S. policy toward NATO.
On March 4, a U.S. delegate informed a WTO budget meeting that payments for the 2024 and 2025 budgets had been suspended pending a review of contributions to international organizations. The delegate stated that the WTO would be informed of the outcome at an unspecified future date, according to two sources directly familiar with the meeting.
A third source confirmed this information and added that the WTO is developing a “Plan B” in case the funding suspension continues, though no details were provided.
All three sources requested anonymity, as the budget meeting was closed and the U.S. funding pause has not been officially announced.
