Trump orders US withdrawal from 66 international organisations, including 31 UN entities, citing ‘America First’ priorities

New Delhi, Jan 08: President Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, arguing that they no longer serve American interests, according to a White House fact sheet.

The memorandum instructs all executive departments and agencies to immediately cease participation in and funding for 35 non-United Nations bodies and 31 UN entities that the administration says operate “contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty”.

The decision follows a comprehensive review ordered earlier this year of all international organisations, conventions, and treaties in which the US holds membership or provides financial support. The White House said the withdrawals would end taxpayer funding for institutions that “advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities” or address critical issues “inefficiently or ineffectively”.

“President Trump is ending U.S. participation in international organisations that undermine America’s independence and waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective or hostile agendas,” the White House fact sheet said.

The administration argued that many of the organisations promote “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs” that conflict with US sovereignty and economic strength, while often criticising US policies or delivering little tangible return despite billions of dollars in American contributions. The White House said the move would save taxpayer money and allow resources to be redirected toward domestic priorities under the administration’s “America First” agenda.

Since returning to office, US President Trump has moved quickly to roll back US participation in several multilateral frameworks. On his first days in office, he initiated the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.

He also signed a memorandum notifying the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that its Global Tax Deal has “no force or effect” in the United States, while ordering a probe into foreign tax rules that may disproportionately affect American companies. Weeks later, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the UN Human Rights Council and banning any future funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for the Near East (UNRWA).

According to the White House, the administration is refocusing US engagement abroad to ensure international commitments “serve American interests”, while prioritising spending at home on infrastructure, military readiness and border security.