In one of the biggest retreats from the multilateral system in contemporary American history, US President Donald Trump has ordered the country to leave dozens of international organizations, including the UN’s top climate science body and the world’s principal climate treaty.
US Withdrawal from International Organizations
The decision, which was made public by the White House on Wednesday, is detailed in a letter that lists 66 foreign organizations that the administration believes to be “contrary to the interests of the United States” as it expedites its further withdrawal from the UN and related organizations.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which serves as the cornerstone of all significant international climate accords, is one of the most significant departures. Beyond Trump’s previously declared departure from the Paris Agreement, the action breaks US links to the legal framework governing global climate cooperation.
Trump’s Climate Stance
Trump has consistently rejected the scientific consensus on climate change, calling it a “hoax” at a high-level UN conference last September. Trump has prioritized fossil resources in his domestic economic agenda.
The US Senate approved the UNFCCC under George H. W. Bush’s presidency, after its adoption at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The US Constitution explicitly lays out the procedure for signing treaties, but it is unclear on withdrawal. This legal uncertainty might make the decision subject to court review and make it more difficult for a later administration to try to rejoin.
Additional Climate-Related Exits
Additionally, the memorandum instructs the US to leave the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which evaluates and summarizes climate research for governments throughout the globe. The International Renewable Energy Agency, UN Oceans, and UN Water are among the other climate-related organizations mentioned.
🌍 Major US Climate Organization Exits
- Organizations: UNFCCC, IPCC, International Renewable Energy Agency, UN Oceans, UN Water
- Reason: Labeled as “anti-American” or “contrary to US interests”
- Impact: Potential disruption of global climate collaboration and scientific research
- Policy: Aligned with Trump’s “America First” agenda
- Future: Legal uncertainties may complicate rejoining treaties later
Environmental groups condemned the decision, with Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists saying, “President Trump’s exit from the foundational international climate agreement marks a troubling step backward. It reflects an authoritarian, anti-science approach that prioritizes short-term interests over public welfare and undermines global collaboration.”
Government Justification
In a post on X, Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the broad withdrawals, claiming that they fulfilled Trump’s campaign pledges. President Trump said today that the United States is withdrawing from 66 anti-American, pointless, or inefficient foreign organizations. The evaluation of other international organizations is still under progress.
A major pledge made by President Trump to the American people is upheld by these withdrawals: we will no longer support globalist bureaucrats who work against our interests. America and Americans will always come first under the Trump administration.
⚠️ UNESCO & WHO Withdrawal Highlights
- Organizations: UNESCO, World Health Organization, UN Conference on Trade and Development, UN Population Fund
- Funding Cuts: Foreign funding drastically reduced, limiting UN operations
- Reason: Viewed as inefficient or working against US interests
- Impact: Humanitarian programs like World Food Programme affected
- Policy: Part of broader “America First” withdrawal strategy
Larger International Retreat
A larger retreat from international organizations includes the climate-related departures. Trump has once again pulled the United States out of UNESCO, which Washington, DC, had re-joined under former President Joe Biden, much as he did during his first administration.
Additionally, the administration has drastically cut foreign funding and removed the United States from the World Health Organization, which has forced UN organizations like the World Food Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to limit their activities. The UN Conference on Trade and Development and the UN Population Fund are among the other organizations mentioned in the memorandum.
Trump and the UN
For a considerable amount of time, Donald Trump has publicly opposed the United Nations. Speaking to the UN General Assembly in September of last year, he said that the organization was “not even coming close to living up” to its potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the United States leaving UN climate bodies?
The Trump administration intends to give priority to domestic goals, especially the development of fossil fuels, and accuses these organizations of acting against US interests by branding them “anti-American, unproductive, or wasteful.”
2. Which significant climate organizations is the United States abandoning?
Among other organizations, the US is leaving the UNFCCC, IPCC, International Renewable Energy Agency, UN Oceans, and UN Water.
3. What are the possible worldwide repercussions?
The departure may hamper international efforts to fight climate change, impede international climate collaboration, and postpone climate scientific projects.
4. Is it possible for a future US government to rejoin these organizations?
Yes, but there are legal uncertainties in the withdrawal. Depending on the procedure, Senate approval or discussions may be necessary to rejoin treaties such as the UNFCCC.
5. How have environmental organizations responded?
Environmentalists vehemently denounced the action, characterizing it as anti-scientific and a danger to international collaboration in combating climate change.
In conclusion
A major step in President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy program is the United States’ withdrawal from 66 international organizations, including important climate groups. Critics caution that it might undermine international collaboration on pressing environmental and humanitarian concerns and undermine global climate efforts, even if the government presents it as defending national interests.
Disclaimer
The only objective of this article is to provide information. At the time of writing, the material is based on official declarations and published news. It is not meant to be financial, legal, or investment advice.
