Trump withdraws US from dozens of international and UN entities

Trump Announces U.S. Withdrawal from Dozens of UN and International Bodies, Citing National Interests

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will withdraw from a wide range of international organizations and United Nations entities, marking a significant escalation of his administration’s skepticism toward multilateral institutions. According to a memo sent to senior administration officials, the U.S. will exit 35 non-UN organizations and 31 UN bodies, with Trump arguing that many of these institutions “operate contrary to U.S. national interests.”

Among the most high-profile exits is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), widely regarded as the foundational global climate agreement and the parent treaty to the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. The decision makes the United States the first country to formally withdraw from the UNFCCC, a move that could have wide-ranging implications for international climate negotiations.

The announcement follows a pattern of disengagement. Last year, the United States skipped the annual UN climate summit for the first time in more than three decades, signaling the administration’s growing distance from global climate initiatives.

Reacting to the decision, Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the move would isolate the U.S. from international policymaking. “The United States would be the first country to walk away from the UNFCCC,” Bapna said. “Every other nation is a member, in part because they recognize that even beyond the moral imperative of addressing climate change, having a seat at the table in those negotiations represents an ability to shape massive economic policy and opportunity.”

In addition to climate-related bodies, the U.S. will also withdraw from UN Women, the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on family planning, maternal health, and child health programs in more than 150 countries. The Trump administration had already reduced or cut U.S. funding to UNFPA in the previous year.

The memo states that for UN-related organizations, withdrawal will involve “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.” It further notes that voluntary U.S. contributions to most UN agencies have already been significantly reduced.

A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the announcement.

A Broader Rejection of Multilateral Institutions

Trump’s latest move reflects his long-standing skepticism toward international organizations, particularly the United Nations. Throughout his presidency, he has repeatedly questioned the effectiveness, transparency, and cost of global institutions, arguing that they often undermine U.S. sovereignty while failing to deliver tangible benefits to American taxpayers.

Since beginning his second term a year ago, Trump has taken a series of steps to scale back U.S. engagement on the world stage. His administration has slashed funding for multiple UN agencies, withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council, extended a freeze on funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and exited UNESCO, the UN’s cultural and educational body. Trump has also announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and once again abandon the Paris Climate Agreement.

Additional entities named in the latest withdrawal list include the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the International Energy Forum, the UN Register of Conventional Arms, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, among others.

In a statement, the White House defended the decision, saying that many of the organizations the U.S. plans to leave promote “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength.” Officials emphasized that the administration is prioritizing policies it believes directly serve American economic interests and national security.

Global Repercussions and Domestic Debate

The sweeping nature of the withdrawals is likely to draw criticism from international partners and advocacy groups, who argue that U.S. participation in multilateral bodies has historically played a key role in shaping global policy, advancing humanitarian goals, and maintaining diplomatic influence. Critics warn that stepping away from these institutions could reduce America’s ability to lead on issues such as climate change, human rights, public health, and international development.

Supporters of Trump’s approach, however, argue that the moves are long overdue and reflect a necessary reassertion of U.S. sovereignty. They contend that many international organizations impose financial burdens on American taxpayers while advancing agendas that do not align with domestic priorities.

As the administration moves to formalize its withdrawal from dozens of global bodies, the decision marks one of the most significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy in recent decades—one that could reshape America’s role in international cooperation and redefine its engagement with the global community.