Washington Withdraws from 66 International Organizations
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced its withdrawal from dozens of international organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund and the global treaty establishing international climate negotiations, marking a significant retreat by the United States from global cooperation.
Trump issued a presidential memorandum directing federal departments and agencies to end participation and funding for 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN organizations “as soon as possible,” according to the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).
The White House stated that these organizations operate counter to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty.
On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order suspending U.S. support for 66 organizations, agencies, and committees. This action follows his directive for a review of participation and funding for all international organizations, including those affiliated with the UN, according to an anonymous U.S. official discussing a presidential decision not yet publicly announced.
Most of these targeted entities are linked to the UN and include agencies, committees, and advisory bodies focused on climate and labor issues, which the Trump administration has classified as serving diversity and awareness initiatives.
The State Department stated: “The Trump administration has found these institutions to be redundant, poorly managed, unnecessary, wasteful, mismanaged, dominated by entities pursuing agendas contrary to our interests, or posing a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and overall prosperity.”
The White House reiterated: “President Trump is ending U.S. participation in international organizations that undermine American independence and waste taxpayer money on ineffective or hostile agendas.”
Trump’s order did not specify the amount of money the U.S. government expects to save through these withdrawals.
The United Nations, headquartered in New York, did not provide an immediate response to the U.S. announcement but indicated it plans to issue a statement on Thursday.
