By Blessing Nweke
The Trump administration announced Wednesday that the United States will withdraw support from dozens of international organizations, deepening a sharp retreat from global cooperation and multilateral institutions. President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending U.S. participation and funding for 66 international organizations, agencies and commissions following a broad administration review, according to the White House.
Most of the organizations targeted are affiliated with the United Nations and focus on issues such as climate change, labor standards, migration and population health. Among them are the U.N.’s population agency and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the foundational treaty underpinning international climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement. Other non-U.N. bodies affected include the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and the Global Counterterrorism Forum.
In a statement, the State Department said the administration found the organizations to be “redundant, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful” or a threat to U.S. sovereignty and prosperity, adding that many had been captured by interests advancing agendas contrary to U.S. priorities.
The move follows earlier decisions by the administration to suspend support for the World Health Organization, UNRWA, the U.N. Human Rights Council and UNESCO, reflecting an increasingly selective, a-la-carte approach to U.S. engagement with the U.N. system. Critics say the strategy has already forced international agencies and nongovernmental partners to slash programs and staff, particularly after steep cuts to U.S. foreign assistance through USAID.
Analysts describe the decision as a decisive break from decades of bipartisan U.S. support for multilateralism. “It’s a very clear vision of wanting international cooperation on Washington’s own terms,” said Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group.
Climate experts warned the withdrawal from the UNFCCC could undermine global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, as the U.S. is one of the world’s largest emitters. Former White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy called the decision “shortsighted and embarrassing,” arguing it sacrifices U.S. influence over trillions of dollars in global climate investments.
Despite the withdrawals, U.S. officials say Washington will continue engaging selectively in international bodies where it sees strategic competition, particularly with China. The State Department said reviews of other organizations are ongoing.
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