Archive · 26 Sep 2026
China Expands UN Influence as Trump Pulls Back
China is trying to have a bigger voice in organizations run by the United Nations.
The United States has been reducing its involvement in some of these organizations under President Donald Trump.
This creates more opportunities for China and other countries to fill the empty space.
China is sending more workers, money, technology and trained experts into the UN system.
It is especially interested in rules about artificial intelligence, trade, weather science and nuclear energy.
China says it is not taking over and only wants to be treated as an equal.
Some US officials worry that China could shape international rules in ways they oppose.
American officials also support a freer approach to artificial intelligence.
The disagreement is part of a larger competition between China and the United States.
China is increasing its influence across United Nations agencies as the Trump administration reduces US involvement in the multilateral system.
Chinese personnel in the UN system have risen by one-third since before the pandemic, reaching 1,641.
Beijing is using software, navigation systems, funding, scholarships and personnel appointments to gain influence over international rules.
China is promoting UN involvement in artificial-intelligence regulation, while US officials favor a less restrictive approach and oppose Beijing-led governance.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency, China is seeking greater influence over nuclear appointments, technical projects and scrutiny of Japan’s treated Fukushima water.
- Who
- China, the United States, the United Nations and officials from related international agencies.
- What
- China is expanding its influence across UN agencies while the Trump administration pulls back from parts of the multilateral system.
- When
- During Donald Trump’s US visit and the week described in the article; Chinese UN staffing has increased since before the pandemic.
- Where
- Across the United Nations system, including agencies based in Geneva and Vienna, and in Beijing.
- Why
- US funding reductions and withdrawals from UN agencies are creating openings that China and other countries can fill.
China’s Multilateral Approach
US Retrenchment and Skepticism
China’s role in the United Nations
China’s Multilateral Approach
China says it is seeking equal representation, practicing genuine multilateralism and strengthening the United Nations rather than taking it over.
US Retrenchment and Skepticism
US officials and China experts say reduced US participation is leaving space for China to increase its influence across international institutions.
Artificial-intelligence governance
China’s Multilateral Approach
China supports using the International Telecommunication Union as a forum for global AI regulation and promotes open-source models.
US Retrenchment and Skepticism
US officials, including Mike Waltz, argue for “AI freedom” and oppose having the future of AI decided within the International Telecommunication Union under China’s leadership.
International agency appointments
China’s Multilateral Approach
China says its participation is based on expertise and that it is underrepresented compared with its financial contributions and the United States and Europe.
US Retrenchment and Skepticism
Some diplomats and experts argue that Chinese scholarships, technical cooperation and personnel placements are part of a long-term strategy to gain influence over agency agendas.
- Chinese UN personnel
- 1,641, about one-third more than before the pandemic
- US policy
- The Trump administration is withholding millions of dollars in UN dues and has ordered withdrawal from 31 UN agencies, according to the article.
- Artificial intelligence
- Chinese officials promote open-source AI models and UN-led global regulation through the International Telecommunication Union.
- Nuclear agency staffing
- China has 39 employees among more than 1,300 full-time professionals at the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- Fukushima dispute
- China has called for continued scrutiny of Japan’s treated-water release and tighter inspections of its plutonium stockpile.
- World Meteorological Organization
- The organization opened a regional observation center for Asia in Beijing in 2021.