In a historic dismantling of decades of multilateral diplomacy, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a sweeping presidential memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations.
The move, which targets 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN bodies, marks the most significant retreat from global institutions in modern American history. According to the White House, the decision is designed to trigger a massive reallocation of taxpayer funds away from “redundant” international bureaucracies and toward urgent domestic projects, including border security and crumbling infrastructure.
The directive is the culmination of a year-long review led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Officials stated the targeted organisations, including the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and UN Women were found to be pursuing radical agendas that often conflicted with US national interests and economic sovereignty.
“We are ending the era of the American taxpayer being the world’s ATM for organizations that do nothing but undermine our own values,” a senior administration official stated during a morning briefing.
While supporters hail the long-overdue correction of fiscal responsibility, the decision has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community. Critics argue that by vacating these seats, the U.S. is effectively handing global leadership to its primary rivals.
Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador, warned that the vacuum would be filled almost immediately.
This isn’t just a budget cut; it’s a strategic gift to Beijing, McFaul said. “When we leave the room, China picks up the gavel. We are losing our ability to shape the rules of the 21st-century global economy.”
The memorandum orders all federal agencies to cease funding and participation immediately, though full withdrawal is expected to roll out over several months to navigate existing legal and treaty obligations.
The White House is expected to release a detailed budget proposal next week outlining exactly how the billions in recovered funds will be spent on American soil.
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