The United States is stepping away from dozens of international organisations, marking one of the biggest retreats from global cooperation under President Donald Trump. In a move that has drawn sharp reactions worldwide, Trump has ordered the suspension of U.S. support for 66 international organisations, many of which are linked with the United Nations.
BREAKING || US to exit 66 global bodies.@WhiteHouse tweets: "AMERICA FIRST… Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations that no longer serve American interests including… pic.twitter.com/ZomtZdd1p7
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 8, 2026
The decision was formalised through an executive order signed on Wednesday (7th January), after a review of US participation and funding in global organisations. According to the White House and the State Department, the administration believes many of these institutions no longer serve American interests.
Why the Trump administration took this step
The State Department said the organisations being exited are seen as wasteful, poorly managed and influenced by agendas that clash with US priorities. Officials argued that American taxpayers have been funding bodies that promote what Trump calls a “globalist” or “woke” outlook, while delivering little benefit in return.
Trump has repeatedly said that the US pays far more than its fair share to international institutions, only to find those bodies siding with rivals such as China. This thinking has shaped his broader approach to multilateral organisations since returning to office.
Wide range of UN bodies hit by US pullback
Most of the affected organisations are linked to the United Nations. These include agencies and panels dealing with climate change, labour, migration, gender equality and population health. Among the most significant exits is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the treaty that underpins global climate talks and the Paris climate agreement.
By leaving the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the US becomes the only country outside the agreement. Climate experts warn this could weaken global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, especially since the US remains one of the world’s largest polluters and economies.
The administration has also decided to withdraw from UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which works on family planning, maternal health and reproductive care in more than 150 countries. Funding for UNFPA had already been cut earlier, despite a previous State Department review finding no proof to support claims that the agency backed coercive abortion practices.
Exit from other global platforms
Beyond the UN system, the US is also pulling out of several international forums, including the India–France-led International Solar Alliance, which was launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former French President François Hollande.
Other organisations facing a US exit include the International Tropical Timber Organisation, the United Nations University, the International Cotton Advisory Committee, and cultural and scientific bodies across the Americas and Europe.
A Pattern of withdrawal
This is not the first time Trump has taken the US out of major global institutions. In recent years, Washington has already suspended support for the World Health Organisation, the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO and UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
The administration has instead adopted a selective approach, choosing to stay engaged only in areas where it sees direct competition with China, such as the International Telecommunications Union, the International Maritime Organisation and the International Labour Organisation.
Global reactions and concerns
Critics say the move signals a sharp break from how previous Republican and Democratic administrations dealt with the UN. Analysts warn that the withdrawals could weaken international cooperation on climate change, public health and humanitarian aid.
Climate scientists have also pointed out that without US involvement, other countries may slow down their own climate commitments. “It gives nations an excuse to delay action,” said Rob Jackson of Stanford University, who heads the Global Carbon Project.
What the White House says next
Trump has defended the decision by saying it will free up taxpayer money for what he calls more relevant priorities at home and abroad. The White House insists the US is not turning its back on the world completely, but reshaping its role on its own terms.
With reviews of other international commitments, officials have hinted that more exits could follow, keeping allies and global institutions on edge about Washington’s next move.
