ALBAWABA- President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, marking one of the most dramatic retreats from multilateral institutions in modern U.S. history.
A presidential memorandum directs the administration to exit 31 United Nations bodies and 35 non-U.N. organizations spanning climate change, human rights, migration, and global health.
The White House framed the move as a bid to “prioritize American interests,” arguing the targeted organizations are wasteful, ineffective, or hostile to U.S. sovereignty and economic security.
Officials cited duplication, mismanagement, and policy agendas deemed inconsistent with national priorities, singling out climate-related bodies such as the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision would end billions of dollars in taxpayer funding, reinforcing the administration’s “America First” doctrine.
The withdrawals build on Trump’s second-term push toward unilateralism. Since returning to office in January 2025, the United States has already exited the World Health Organization, the Paris climate accord, UNESCO, and the U.N. Human Rights Council following a government-wide review.
The latest step expands that approach amid broader foreign policy tensions, including confrontations over Venezuelan oil shipments, the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, and renewed rhetoric on Greenland.
International reaction has been sharply critical. European allies and U.N. officials warned the decision weakens global cooperation on climate, health, and security, risks isolating Washington, and could cede influence to rival powers.
While supporters at home applaud potential cost savings and reduced international commitments, Trump's opponents argue the mass withdrawal undercuts U.S. leadership and ignores the strategic benefits of collective action.
The exits take effect immediately, with further reviews expected to determine whether additional organizations will be abandoned.
