The Trump administration is set to pull out from numerous international organizations, including the UN’s population agency and the UN treaty that oversees global climate negotiations, signaling a further step back from global collaboration. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting support for 66 organizations, agencies, and commissions, following a directive for his administration to assess participation in and funding for all international organizations, including those linked to the United Nations. Most of the entities targeted are UN-affiliated bodies focusing on climate, labor, and other issues deemed by the Trump administration as promoting diversity and “woke” initiatives. Non-UN organizations on the list include the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. The State Department expressed that these institutions are seen as duplicative, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, or posing a threat to U.S. sovereignty, freedoms, and prosperity.
This move to withdraw from organizations promoting global cooperation in addressing common challenges coincides with the administration’s military actions and threats, like the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and hints at a potential takeover of Greenland. Previously, the administration had suspended support for agencies such as the World Health Organization, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, the UN Human Rights Council, and UNESCO. The approach now involves selectively funding operations and agencies that align with the administration’s agenda while cutting ties with those perceived as not serving U.S. interests.
This shift in approach to international cooperation diverges from previous administrations and has led to internal restructuring within the UN. The reduction in foreign aid by the U.S. Agency for International Development has resulted in the closure of various projects by independent NGOs working with the UN. Despite these changes, U.S. officials express a desire to focus taxpayer funds on expanding American influence in key UN initiatives where there is competition with China.
The decision to withdraw from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the latest move by the Trump administration to distance itself from international climate-focused organizations. The UNFCCC, crucial for the Paris climate agreement, aims to support climate-related activities in developing countries. The withdrawal has drawn criticism, with climate experts warning that it could impede global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. stance on climate change, including labeling it a hoax, has led to concerns about the country’s leadership role in tackling climate challenges.
The U.S. exit from the UNFCCC and other organizations could hinder progress on climate change, as the country is one of the largest emitters globally. The decision to withdraw from the UN’s population agency, based on allegations of supporting coercive abortion practices, has been met with opposition, with funding being reinstated by President Joe Biden in 2021. The State Department noted ongoing reviews of additional organizations and agencies for potential withdrawal.