US Pays UN $850 Million: $4 Billion Still Owed | Update

The United States will pay $850 million to the United Nations in 2026, the State Department told Congress, but Washington still owes the world body roughly $5 billion in unpaid dues. The US $850 million UN payment is the largest US contribution since the Trump administration froze most funding in 2025 and demanded sweeping reforms at the UN.

What Is the US $850 Million UN Payment?

According to notifications sent to lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2026, the State Department will transfer $725 million toward regular UN budget dues and $125 million toward peacekeeping operations in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo, US News reported. The payment was confirmed by the Dutch public broadcaster NOS.

How Much Does the US Still Owe the UN?

Before the new transfer, the United States owed more than $2 billion to the UN regular budget and about $3 billion for peacekeeping, according to US News. After the $850 million payment, Washington will still owe roughly $4.2 billion. The largest remaining share relates to UN peacekeeping operations, which rely on assessed contributions from member states.

Why Is the US Paying Now? Trump's UN Reforms

President Donald Trump had said no US money would be transferred until the UN implemented sweeping reforms. The State Department now says those reforms have been achieved. The shift reflects a broader recalibration of Trump administration foreign policy toward multilateral institutions.

In February 2026, the US made a one-time payment of $160 million after Secretary-General António Guterres warned of “imminent financial collapse.” The US paid nothing to the UN in 2025 and withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNESCO, which contributed to a WHO budget crisis and forced the agency to cut a quarter of its staff.

Timeline of US UN Funding Under Trump

• 2025: US pays nothing to the UN; withdraws from UNESCO and WHO.
• January 2026: Guterres warns of “imminent financial collapse” in a letter to member states.
• February 2026: US pays a one-time $160 million contribution.
• August 2026: State Department notifies Congress of the $850 million payment.

Impact: UN Financial Crisis and Global Consequences

Unpaid assessments hit a record $1.568 billion by the end of 2025, with collections covering only 76.7% of assessed contributions, according to a January 2026 letter from Guterres. The UN's 2026 funding crisis has already forced layoffs at agencies such as the WHO, which cut about 25% of its workforce. Republican lawmakers have pushed back, saying the appropriations “don't address concerns about U.N. staffing, ideology and funding for the Palestinian refugee agency.”

Without further payments, the UN could face a cash shortage by July 2026, threatening peacekeeping missions, humanitarian relief and development programs as the organization marks its 80th anniversary.

FAQ: US UN $850 Million Payment

How much will the US pay the UN in 2026?

The US will pay $850 million: $725 million for the regular budget and $125 million for peacekeeping in Haiti and the DRC.

How much does the US still owe the UN?

The US owes roughly $5 billion before the payment, leaving about $4.2 billion still outstanding after the transfer.

Why did the US stop paying the UN?

The Trump administration froze payments and demanded sweeping reforms, also withdrawing from the WHO and UNESCO.

When did the US last make a UN payment before this?

The US made a $160 million one-time payment in February 2026 after Guterres warned of imminent financial collapse.

What happens if the UN runs out of money?

The UN may cut peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and staff; the WHO already cut a quarter of its workforce.