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Trump Orders U.S. Withdrawal from 66 International Organizations — Major Shift in Foreign Policy

Washington, January 8, 2026 — In one of the most sweeping retreats from global multilateralism in recent U.S. history, President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties that his administration says “no longer serve American interests.”

The White House announced that the move will end U.S. participation and funding in 31 United Nations (UN) entities and 35 non‑UN organizations, including major climate, development, and governance bodies.

Why the U.S. Is Withdrawing

According to the White House fact sheet, the review of U.S. engagement found many international organizations to be “contrary to the interests of the United States,” undermining national sovereignty, economic prosperity, or security. U.S. officials labelled some groups as wasteful, mismanaged, or promoting agendas that conflict with American values and policy priorities.

Key Bodies in the Withdrawal

Among the most significant bodies from which the U.S. is pulling out are:

• Climate and environment: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Solar Alliance, International Renewable Energy Agency and related climate initiatives.
• UN agencies and programs: UN Population Fund, UN Women, UN Energy, UN Trade and Development, and the Peacebuilding Commission.
• Other international bodies: International Union for Conservation of Nature, Global Counterterrorism Forum, International Energy Forum and others connected to migration, development, science and global cooperation.

Support and Criticism

Administration supporters argue the withdrawals will stop funding “globalist agendas” that do not benefit Americans and redirect taxpayer dollars to domestic priorities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision as fulfilling campaign promises and protecting U.S. sovereignty.

However, climate scientists, diplomats, and international policy experts have sharply criticized the move, warning it could seriously damage global cooperation on climate change, peacekeeping, public health, and economic development. Some legal analysts also question whether the president can unilaterally withdraw from certain treaties and conventions.

Global Reaction

The decision has sparked international concern, with leaders and organizations signalling that such an unprecedented withdrawal could undermine decades of collaborative work on shared challenges like climate change, humanitarian assistance, and global governance. Some smaller member states emphasised the need for formal exit procedures before the U.S. disengages completely.