The administration of Donald Trump has announced a sweeping pullback from international cooperation, confirming plans to withdraw the United States from 66 global organizations and agreements. This includes major United Nations–linked bodies such as the U.N.’s population agency and the treaty framework that governs international climate negotiations.
Executive Order Halts Funding and Participation
On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order that suspends U.S. support and participation in dozens of international agencies, commissions, and advisory groups. According to the White House, the decision followed a comprehensive review of all international organizations connected to or funded by the U.S., including those affiliated with the United Nations.
Many of the organizations targeted are tied to climate policy, labor standards, migration, and social equity initiatives. The administration has criticized these bodies as promoting “woke” or diversity-focused agendas that it argues conflict with U.S. national interests.
Non-U.N. organizations affected include the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum.
Administration Cites Sovereignty and Cost Concerns
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move, stating that many of the institutions are redundant, poorly managed, wasteful, or misaligned with American priorities. He added that some groups have been captured by outside interests and could threaten U.S. sovereignty, freedoms, and long-term prosperity.
The withdrawals come amid broader foreign policy actions that have unsettled allies, including aggressive rhetoric toward Greenland and actions involving Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro.
A Broader Pattern of Global Pullback
This decision builds on earlier steps by the Trump administration to exit or defund international bodies. Previous withdrawals or suspensions included the World Health Organization, UNRWA, the U.N. Human Rights Council, and UNESCO.
Rather than paying full dues across the board, the administration has taken a selective approach—funding only those operations it believes directly support Trump’s agenda.
Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group described the strategy as a rigid form of multilateralism, noting that Washington now appears willing to cooperate internationally only on its own terms. This shift marks a clear departure from how both Republican and Democratic administrations previously engaged with the U.N.
As a result, the U.N. has been forced to respond with staffing reductions and program cuts.
Foreign Aid Cuts Add to the Impact
The pullback has also affected independent nongovernmental organizations that work alongside the U.N. Many have closed projects following deep reductions in foreign aid through the USAID, which the administration significantly scaled back last year.
Despite these changes, U.S. officials argue they still see value in global institutions. They say taxpayer funds will now be redirected toward expanding American influence in strategic standard-setting bodies where competition with China is strong, such as the International Telecommunications Union, International Maritime Organization, and International Labor Organization.
Exit From Global Climate Frameworks
One of the most consequential moves is the U.S. withdrawal from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Established in 1992 by 198 countries, the UNFCCC underpins international climate cooperation and supports climate action in developing nations. It also serves as the foundation for the Paris Climate Agreement.
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change a hoax, exited the Paris Agreement shortly after returning to office.
Former White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy criticized the move, calling it shortsighted and embarrassing. She warned that leaving the treaty strips the U.S. of influence over trillions of dollars in global investments and weakens protections against climate-related disasters.
Mainstream scientists continue to link climate change to more frequent and severe floods, droughts, wildfires, extreme rainfall, and heatwaves.
Scientists Warn of Global Consequences
Stanford University climate scientist Rob Jackson, who leads the Global Carbon Project, said the U.S. withdrawal could slow global progress. He warned it may give other nations an excuse to delay cutting emissions. Experts agree that meaningful climate action is difficult without cooperation from the U.S., one of the world’s largest economies and greenhouse gas emitters.
U.N. Population Fund and Other Departures
The administration will also exit the UN Population Fund, which provides sexual and reproductive health services worldwide. The agency has long faced opposition from Republican leaders, who accuse it of supporting coercive abortion practices—claims a State Department review under President Biden later found unsupported.
Additional organizations the U.S. plans to leave include the Carbon Free Energy Compact, United Nations University, International Cotton Advisory Committee, International Tropical Timber Organization, Pan-American Institute for Geography and History, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, and the International Lead and Zinc Study Group.
