In a historic dismantling of American multilateralism, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States is withdrawing from 66 international organisations, signaling a definitive break from what the administration calls the "globalist architecture" of the past 80 years.
The move, executed through a presidential memorandum under Executive Order 14199, targets 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN organisations. The administration characterised these bodies as "redundant," "captured by foreign interests," and "hostile to American sovereignty."
"Prudence and Purpose"
"It is no longer acceptable to be sending these institutions the blood, sweat, and treasure of the American people with little to nothing to show for it," the President stated. The announcement emphasises a shift away from "progressive ideology" and "climate orthodoxy," explicitly rejecting the "multilateral NGO-plex" that the White House claims has governed international relations for decades.
This latest action follows the official closure of USAID and the second U.S. exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, marking an unprecedented retreat from global development and environmental treaties.
Major Organisations Targeted for Withdrawal
The 66-item list represents a broad strike against agencies focused on climate, gender, and international law
Category Key Organizations Exiting
Climate and Science UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Social & Gender UN Women, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Entity for Gender Equality
Governance International Law Commission, UN Democracy Fund, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
Economics UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Trade Centre
Global and Domestic Backlash
The decision has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community. Critics argue that by exiting the UNFCCC—a bedrock treaty ratified by the Senate in 1992—the U.S. is not only isolating itself but ceding global leadership to rivals like China.
"Walking away doesn’t just put America on the sidelines—it takes the U.S. out of the arena entirely," said David Widawsky, Director of the World Resources Institute. "American businesses will lose economic ground as other nations capture the wealth created by the clean-energy economy."
Within the administration, the tone is one of triumph. Officials argue that these withdrawals will save billions in taxpayer dollars and protect the U.S. from international mandates regarding DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and environmental regulations.
The White House confirmed that the review of international memberships is ongoing. All executive departments have been directed to immediately begin the process of "ceasing participation and funding" for the named organizations.
As the U.S. vacates seats on boards ranging from the Arctic Council to the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, the vacancy leaves a significant power vacuum in global governance.
