President Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, delivering on his campaign promise to disengage from global bodies he deems contrary to American interests.
The sweeping directive, announced by the White House on Monday, targets 35 non-UN organizations and 31 United Nations entities. The presidential memorandum follows a comprehensive review of U.S. international commitments that began shortly after Trump took office in January.
America First, International Organizations Second
Why such a dramatic move? The White House justified the decision as part of Trump’s broader “America First” agenda, arguing these organizations operate against U.S. national interests. The withdrawals stem from Executive Order 14199, which Trump signed on February 4, 2025, mandating a review of “all international intergovernmental organizations, conventions, and treaties that the U.S. is a member of, funds, or supports.”
“On February 4, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14199,” Trump stated in the memorandum, referring to the directive formally titled “Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations.”
The list of affected organizations is extensive and diverse. Among the non-UN bodies facing U.S. withdrawal are climate-focused groups like the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Solar Alliance. Regional cooperation forums including the Colombo Plan Council and the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation are also on the chopping block.
Environmental and Conservation Groups Hit Hard
Environmental and conservation organizations appear to be particularly targeted. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation, International Tropical Timber Organization, and the influential International Union for Conservation of Nature will all lose U.S. participation under the directive.
Maritime security isn’t spared either. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia — a key mechanism for coordinating anti-piracy efforts — will no longer count the United States among its members.
The Israeli media was quick to report on the decision, highlighting the withdrawal from 31 UN organizations as part of the broader pullback from international commitments.
Critics worry this massive disengagement could create diplomatic vacuums that rival powers might fill. But supporters of the administration view it as necessary housecleaning — cutting ties with organizations they believe have become ineffective or actively work against American priorities.
What remains unclear is how quickly these withdrawals will take effect. Many international agreements contain specific procedures and timeframes for member departures, potentially delaying the full implementation of Trump’s directive.
For now, the message from the White House is unmistakable: America’s relationship with the international community is undergoing its most significant realignment in decades, with potentially far-reaching consequences for global governance and cooperation.
