Washington (TDI): The United States has announced a major shift in its role on the world stage, with President Donald Trump directing the country to withdraw from dozens of United Nations agencies and other international organizations, a move that marks a significant retreat from decades of multilateral engagement.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Wednesday directing the country’s withdrawal from 66 international organizations, including 35 non-UN bodies and 31 UN entities, citing conflicts with American national interests, security, and sovereignty.
The directive, following a comprehensive review of US participation in global organizations, instructs all executive departments and agencies to stop funding and involvement in these institutions, with the goal of redirecting resources toward initiatives that better serve US priorities.
According to the White House, the decision follows a comprehensive review of US commitments to international institutions, with Trump arguing that many of these bodies no longer serve America’s strategic interests and instead conflict with national sovereignty or waste taxpayer resources.
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Among the entities affected are organizations focused on climate cooperation, scientific research and development, peacebuilding efforts, and human rights initiatives. US support has already been scaled back in recent years, with previous withdrawals from agencies such as the World Health Organization and UNESCO under Trump’s leadership.
The withdrawal is expected to unfold over the coming months, with legal and procedural steps required to formally end US involvement in each organization.
The announcement has already sparked reaction from leaders around the world; many of whom say they will continue working with the remaining member states to address shared global challenges.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organization expects to issue a response to the US announcement by Thursday morning.
While President Trump has publicly emphasized reducing US involvement in UN forums, he has continued to exert influence over international decision-making.
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In October last year, he threatened sanctions against diplomats who formally approved a levy on polluting shipping fuels, a measure already agreed upon earlier, effectively delaying the initiative for a year.
The administration also sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she released a report highlighting the role of international and US companies in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
Trump’s administration has a history of withdrawing the US from international bodies, including the WHO, the Paris climate agreement, and the UN Human Rights Council, while also limiting funding to UN agencies like UNRWA.
As a permanent UN Security Council member, the US has repeatedly used its veto power to influence decisions, including on Israel and Gaza, highlighting a pattern of prioritizing American interests over multilateral cooperation.
Minahil Khurshid holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CIPS, NUST. She has a strong interest in current affairs, geopolitics, and policy analysis.
