Trump Orders Withdrawal from 66 International Bodies Full List & Impact

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In a sweeping move to reshape American foreign policy, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, directing the immediate withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations. The order targets 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN organizations that the administration has deemed "wasteful," "ineffective," or driven by "woke" and "globalist" agendas contrary to U.S. interests.

 

This mass exodus marks one of the most significant retreats from multilateral cooperation in U.S. history, following earlier withdrawals from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. The White House stated the decision follows a year-long review aimed at halting taxpayer funding for bodies that undermine American sovereignty or economic strength.

 

The "America First" Rationale

The administration’s primary justification is a pivot toward "restoring American sovereignty" and cutting costs.Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move, asserting that the U.S. will no longer subsidize "globalist bureaucrats" who advance ideological programs conflicting with American values.

Key reasons cited for the withdrawal include:

• Sovereignty concerns: The administration argues these bodies promote global governance that supersedes U.S. law.
• Ideological misalignment: Many targeted agencies focus on climate change, gender equality, and reproductive healthareas the administration labels as "woke" or "radical".
• Fiscal responsibility: The move is framed as a cost-saving measure to redirect billions of dollars toward domestic priorities like infrastructure and border security.

 

Major Organizations Targeted

The withdrawal affects a wide spectrum of international cooperation, ranging from climate science to human rights.

Key UN Entities:

• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): The foundational treaty for global climate action.
• UN Women: The primary body for gender equality and women's empowerment.
• UN Population Fund (UNFPA): An agency focused on reproductive health, which the administration has previously defunded.
• Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict: A body monitoring crimes against children in war zones.
• UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat): Focused on sustainable urbanization.

Key Non-UN Organizations:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): The world's leading authority on climate science and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): An India-led initiative promoting solar energy adoption.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): A global authority on the status of the natural world and measures needed to safeguard it.
• Global Counterterrorism Forum: A multilateral platform for counterterrorism cooperation.

A Blow to Global Climate Action

The withdrawal is particularly devastating for international climate efforts. By exiting the UNFCCC and the IPCC, the U.S. becomes the only nation to abandon the global framework for negotiating climate action and the scientific body that guides it.

• Scientific Isolation: The exit from the IPCC severs formal U.S. participation in global climate assessments, potentially delaying crucial reports and isolating American scientists.
• Policy Impact: Experts warn this will hinder global efforts to curb emissions, as the U.S.the world's largest historical emittervacates its leadership role, potentially giving other nations an excuse to delay their own commitments.
• Economic Consequences: UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell warned the move would hurt the U.S. economy by leaving it behind in the global transition to clean energy, leading to "less affordable energy" and fewer manufacturing jobs.

International Reaction

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders and institutions. The United Nations emphasized that financial contributions are a "legal obligation" under the UN Charter and stated that its work would continue despite the U.S. retreat.

• European Union: EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the decision "regrettable," reaffirming Europe's commitment to the Paris Agreement.
• Scientific Community: The Union of Concerned Scientists described the move as a "new low" for an "anti-science administration" that sacrifices public well-being for ideology.
• Geopolitical Rivals: Analysts suggest the power vacuum left by the U.S. could open the door for China to expand its influence in international standard-setting bodies.

While supporters argue this realignment protects U.S. interests, critics view it as a dangerous isolationist turn that weakens the rules-based international order and diminishes America's ability to shape global norms.