US must have strong voice to tackle China: Trump's UN envoy pick Waltz

UPDATED: Jul 16, 2025 05:22 IST

US President Donald Trump’s pick for United Nations ambassador, Mike Waltz, told senators on Tuesday that the UN needs urgent reform and that the US must play a stronger role in countering China’s growing influence within the organization.

Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican congressman from Florida, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as part of his confirmation process. While the position will not be cabinet-level, it remains one of Trump’s key foreign policy appointments.

"We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk, where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts" Waltz said. "But after 80 years, it's drifted from its core mission of peacemaking. We must return to the UN’s charter and first principles."

Highlighting China’s rising influence at the global body, Waltz pledged to “block and tackle” Beijing’s efforts and said, "America must have a strong voice and, if confirmed, I'll work with Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio to challenge this influence."

He also backed Secretary-General Antnio Guterres’ ongoing “UN80” reform plan, which includes cutting staff by 20 per cent and reducing bureaucracy.

Waltz said he would push for more transparency and eliminate duplication across the UN’s 80-plus agencies.

The US currently contributes 22 per cent of the U.'s core budget and 27% of its peacekeeping funds, but it owes about USD 2.8 billion in unpaid dues. Waltz argued that Washington pays too much and that its aid is often misused, echoing long-standing Trump administration concerns.

Waltz also addressed his removal from his previous post as national security adviser in May, after he became involved in a controversial Signal chat. He defended the use of the app, stressing that no classified material had been shared.

The nomination comes as Trump, in his second term, continues to take a skeptical view of multilateral organizations. His administration has cut foreign aid, ended funding for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), and withdrawn from the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Reacting to Waltz’s remarks, UN spokesperson Stphane Dujarric said: “Our message to all member states is: if you're not fully pleased with what's going on in this organization, engage with the other member states in this organization.”

- Ends

With inputs from Reuters

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