Guterres Critiques US Approach to International Law
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern that the United States is leaning away from international law, opting instead for a more power-centric approach. This critique surfaced during a BBC interview, particularly as President Donald Trump continues to doubt the significance of global entities.
In his remarks on BBC Radio 4, Guterres suggested that U.S. foreign policy indicates a shift towards prioritizing “the law of power” over the “power of law.” He pointed out that Washington seems to rely more on its influence, sidelining international standards.
“If we take a close look at current U.S. policies, there’s this clear notion that multilateral solutions don’t hold weight anymore; it’s all about wielding American power, sometimes ignoring international laws,” he noted.
His statements came after the U.S. took action in Venezuela and Trump’s controversial comments about America needing to possess Greenland. Trump’s well-documented wariness of the United Nations and similar organizations has also been evident.
UN Staff Reductions in the US
Guterres’ comments coincide with news that parts of the UN are decreasing their workforce in the United States. The UN Development Program recently announced it would be relocating approximately 400 jobs from New York to Europe, primarily to Germany and Spain.
Trump, during his time at the U.N. General Assembly in 2025, voiced doubts about the UN’s effectiveness, claiming it “didn’t even make an effort” to address conflicts that he asserted his administration had managed to resolve independently.
While Guterres affirmed the UN’s strong commitment to resolving global disputes, he admitted that the clout of powerful nations often overshadows the organization’s efforts to uphold its charter.
Critics of the UN have long pointed out perceived issues with its competency, bias, and funding disparities. Notably, they argue that the influence of countries like China and Russia, which hold veto power in the Security Council, complicates matters further.
Discussion on Council Reform
Guterres also reiterated calls for reforming the Security Council, arguing that its structure doesn’t adequately represent today’s world and is hampered by the veto powers utilized by nations like the U.S. and Russia in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza.
He highlighted the lack of representation, noting that “three European countries” are permanent members of the Council and that it fails to give a voice to the whole globe.
President Trump has directly confronted the UN in the past, claiming it often mismanages the issues it is supposed to resolve, stating in a September 2025 address, “Too often the United Nations not only fails to solve the problems it should, it actually creates new problems for us to solve.” His remarks emphasized a pattern of disappointment, as he pointed out the organization’s reliance on “strongly worded letters” without actionable follow-up.
As of now, there has been no response from the White House regarding Guterres’ statements.
