US Believes Its Power Matters More Than International Law, UN Chief Tells BBC

In a stark BBC interview, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres accused the United States of prioritizing raw power over international law, warning that this shift risks global chaos and undermines multilateralism.[2][3][4] Guterres, entering his final year leading the UN before his term ends on December 31, 2026, highlighted U.S. actions as emblematic of a dangerous “law of power” replacing the “power of law.”[1][2]

Guterres’ Direct Critique of U.S. Policy

Guterres told BBC Radio 4 that Washington increasingly views multilateral solutions as irrelevant, favoring its influence instead.[2][3][4] “There are those that believe the power of law should be replaced by the law of power,” he stated, adding that U.S. policy shows a “clear conviction” that its power trumps international norms.[2][3][4] This comes amid heightened U.S.-UN tensions under President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly questioned the organization’s relevance.[3]

The UN chief pointed to specific U.S. actions: a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro, deadly attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, and Trump’s public calls to annex Greenland.[1][2][3] These moves, Guterres argued, violate the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.[1] He also jabbed at the Trump administration for delaying 2025 UN dues payments, exacerbating funding shortfalls.[1]

Guterres framed these as part of broader “brazen violations” of international law, including illegal force, attacks on civilians, and resource plundering.[1] Speaking to the UN General Assembly, he described a world of “self-defeating geopolitical divides” and cuts to aid, shaking global cooperation.[1][5]

Trump’s “America First” Pushback

From the U.S. perspective, critics like Trump portray the UN as ineffective and biased. In a 2025 General Assembly speech, Trump claimed the UN “wasn’t there for us” and failed to resolve conflicts his administration handled unilaterally.[2][3] He accused it of issuing “strongly worded letters” without action, calling it a creator of problems rather than a solver.[3]

The Fox News report notes Trump’s sweeping orders to withdraw from 66 “wasteful” global organizations, underscoring an “America First” crackdown.[3] U.S. funding—disproportionate compared to rivals like China and Russia—fuels complaints of veto-driven gridlock in the Security Council.[3] Trump administration warnings highlight a “UN chief race shifting left,” boosting anti-U.S. contenders.[3]

Guterres conceded the UN’s limitations, admitting it lacks leverage against “big powers.”[2][3][4] He renewed calls to reform the Security Council, criticizing its outdated composition with three European permanent members (UK, France) and veto powers that prioritize national interests over global ones.[3][4] Proposals include expanding membership for legitimacy and curbing vetoes.[4]

Broader Global Implications

Guterres’ remarks extend beyond the U.S., lashing at all violators like Russia for its 2022 Ukraine invasion.[1] He warned of impunity’s consequences: eroded human rights, silenced dissent, and unconstitutional governments.[1] Economically, he decried the richest 1% holding 43% of global financial assets as “morally indefensible.”[1]

China Daily framed Guterres’ BBC comments as a warning of “global chaos” from U.S. unilateralism, contrasting 1945’s post-WWII norms with 2026’s challenges.[2] The UN chief urged resistance: “If we don’t confront the powerful, we will never be able to have a better world.”[2]

Recent UN developments signal strain. The UN Development Program relocated nearly 400 New York jobs to Germany and Spain, reducing its U.S. footprint.[3] Guterres also touched on Gaza, blaming Israel for aid distribution failures by favoring a private contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Organization (GHF), over UN efforts—resulting in hundreds of Palestinian deaths.[4]

A Fractured World Order?

This exchange underscores a deepening rift. Guterres insists the UN remains “extremely engaged” in conflicts but struggles against powerful non-compliance.[3] Supporters see his critique as a principled stand for rules-based order; detractors view it as biased scapegoating amid U.S. over-contributions.[3]

As 2026 unfolds, Guterres vows not to “give up” on cooperation despite “deathwatch” threats.[1] Yet with Trump’s skepticism and actions like Venezuela interventions, the UN’s enforcement role hangs in balance.[1][2] The world watches whether power or law prevails—Guterres bets on the latter for survival.

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Original source: BBC News – World – US believes its power matters more than international law, UN chief tells BBC