Earlier this week it was reported that the Trump administration is preparing executive orders to reduce America's funding commitments to the United Nations. Observers speaking to the RIA Novosti news agency suggest that the move is entirely in line with Trump's campaign commitments to find bilateral solutions to problems in international affairs.

The first of the two draft executive orders, obtained by the New York Times, calls for the termination of billions of dollars in US funding to UN agencies which do not meet certain criteria or are contrary to US policy.

The White House's proposal includes cutting off aid to UN agencies that provide full membership for Palestine (a provision that is already US law), an end to any US support for programs which may help Iran or North Korea circumvent sanctions, and the cutting off of aid to organizations thought to be controlled or influenced by state sponsors of terrorism or countries that systematically violate human rights.