U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from dozens of international and United Nations organizations, marking a major shift in U.S. global engagement. The move includes cutting ties with 35 non-UN groups and 31 UN entities, according to an official memo. The decision follows a year of policy changes aimed at reinforcing the administration’s “America First” agenda, affecting areas such as immigration, healthcare regulation, climate policy, and international cooperation.
Among the organizations affected are UN Women, the U.N. Population Fund, and bodies linked to climate change agreements. The U.S. was notably absent from last year’s UN climate summit—the first time in nearly 30 years.The memo states that withdrawal means ending U.S. participation or funding “to the extent permitted by law.” The White House said the organizations promote “globalist agendas, radical climate policies, and ideological programs” that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic priorities.
Officials argued that taxpayer funds should instead be redirected toward more effective initiatives aligned with national interests.While the scale of the move is significant, it is not unprecedented. During his first term, Trump reduced U.S. involvement in the United Nations, announced plans to leave the World Health Organization, and withdrew from the Paris climate agreement.
This latest action expands those efforts to include organizations focused on trade, energy, arms monitoring, peacebuilding, and environmental policy.Supporters view the move as a necessary assertion of independence, while critics warn it could weaken U.S. influence abroad. The full list of organizations affected includes a wide range of international and UN bodies spanning climate, development, human rights, and global cooperation.
