ECOSOC nominee pledges to press UN reform and counter Chinese influence if confirmed
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Summary
Dan Negrea, nominated as U.S. representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, told senators he would push for reforms to increase accountability and prioritize trade and private‑sector engagement; he warned against Beijing’s use of the U.N. to advance an authoritarian development model and said the U.S. should form coalitions to preserve
Dan Negrea, President Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. representative on the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he would press UN reform, increase accountability and promote private‑sector engagement to counter an authoritarian development model he attributed to China.
Negrea said ECOSOC should refocus on economic opportunity, trade and human rights and criticized what he called “socially divisive programs” and an "obsessive anti‑Israel bias" at the United Nations. He said the United States must form coalitions of like‑minded countries to prevent authoritarian states from advancing technical standards and rules that would disadvantage U.S. businesses. "If confirmed, I will advocate for recognizing China as a developed country and for increasing China’s voluntary contributions," he said, arguing that wealthy countries should share more of the financial burden at the U.N.
Senators questioned how the United States can influence multilateral institutions if it reduces participation or funding. Negrea replied that some organizations are not appropriate U.S. partners—citing UNESCO as an example where U.S. policy has previously changed because of positions related to Palestinian statehood—and argued the Trump administration’s review of multilateral institutions would not necessarily mean disengagement. He also said ECOSOC's mandate includes issues across the UN and that he would seek to elevate U.S. private‑sector voices within the system.
Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen and others raised concern about China’s influence at the U.N., including moves to block nongovernmental organizations and to suppress human‑rights voices. Negrea said he would work to limit that reach and to “refocus” the organization on the original purpose articulated by the founders: solving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems.
The committee kept the record open for additional questions and supporting letters; no confirmation vote occurred at the hearing.
Quotations and attributions in this article are taken directly from the public hearing record.