US ambassador Nikki Haley vows overhaul of UN, warns allies to back Donald Trump

Newly appointed US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley makes a statement upon her arrival at UN headquarters in New York City on January 27, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

The new US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has pledged to overhaul the world body and warned US allies that she will be “taking names” of countries that do not support the administration of President Donald Trump.

"For those who don't have our backs, we're taking names," Haley told reporters on Friday as she arrived at UN headquarters for her first meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“Everything that’s working, we’re going to make it better; everything that’s not working, we’re going to try and fix; and anything that seems to be obsolete and not necessary, we’re going to do away with,” Haley said.

"This is a time of strength. This is a time of action. This is a time of getting things done," she added.

Haley, 45, is the daughter of Indian immigrants and was the governor of South Carolina. Like Trump, she lacks foreign policy and diplomatic experience.

The remarks of the newly appointed US ambassador were in contrast to a far more conciliatory approach just days ago, when she faced a Senate confirmation hearing.

Nikki Haley testifies during her confirmation hearing for US ambassador to the United Nations (UN) before the Senate Foreign Relations committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 18, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Her comments startled many UN officials and diplomats and signaled a shift of policy.

Haley “has to strike the right balance. The right amount of pressure can improve things but too much pressure could create backlash against the US,” said a senior European diplomat.

The Trump administration has warned it may drastically reduce funding for the UN and other international organizations, as well as begin a process to review and potentially leave some multilateral treaties, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

During his presidential campaign, Trump expressed distrust about the UN and promised to withdraw the US from multilateral agreements such as the Paris climate agreement.

The US is the largest financial contributor to the UN, providing 22 percent of its operating budget and 28 percent of peacekeeping costs in 16 missions around the world, estimated at nearly $8 billion a year.