The Trump administration is set to pull out from numerous international organizations, including the UN’s population agency and the UN treaty governing global climate negotiations, signaling a continued reduction in U.S. global cooperation efforts.
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order halting support for 66 organizations, agencies, and commissions. This decision follows his directive for a comprehensive assessment of U.S. participation and funding in international bodies, particularly those linked to the United Nations. The majority of the entities affected are UN-affiliated, focusing on climate, labor, and diversity issues that the current administration views as aligned with “woke” initiatives.
Apart from UN entities, the list of organizations includes the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. The State Department described these institutions as redundant, mismanaged, wasteful, or posing threats to U.S. sovereignty and prosperity.
The move to withdraw from organizations promoting global cooperation comes amid the administration’s assertive military actions and geopolitical posturing, such as targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and expressing interest in Greenland’s control.
Previous actions by the administration include suspending support for entities like the World Health Organization, UNRWA, the UN Human Rights Council, and UNESCO. The U.S. has adopted a selective approach in deciding financial contributions to international bodies, opting to support initiatives aligning with the administration’s priorities.
Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group, characterized the U.S. stance as a departure from traditional multilateralism, emphasizing a unilateral approach to international engagement. This shift marks a departure from previous administrations’ policies towards the UN, leading to operational and program cutbacks within the organization.
Despite the withdrawal from global climate-focused organizations like the UNFCCC, experts warn of the detrimental impact on international efforts to combat climate change. The decision to distance the U.S. from climate initiatives has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and former officials, highlighting the potential consequences of reduced American engagement in addressing global climate challenges.
The U.S. exit from the UNFCCC, a foundational treaty supporting climate action, underscores the administration’s skepticism towards climate change. This move has been met with condemnation from climate experts and policymakers, who stress the importance of U.S. involvement in global climate mitigation efforts.
In addition to climate-related organizations, the U.S. will also discontinue participation in various other bodies, including the United Nations University, the International Cotton Advisory Committee, and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies. The State Department confirmed that further assessments of international engagements are ongoing.