U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 7, 2026, in which his administration will withdraw the country from 66 international organizations. These include 31 entities linked to the United Nations (UN) system, as reported by the White House in an official statement.
The measure is part of a review ordered by Trump to evaluate U.S. participation and funding in multilateral bodies, global conventions, and treaties. According to the presidential statement, the entities from which the country is disengaging «operate in a manner contrary to national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty,» and will therefore cease to receive federal support and funding.
READ MORE: Trump and Petro Open Door to Improved U.S.-Colombia Relations
Affected Organizations and Withdrawal Criteria
Of the 66 organizations from which the U.S. is withdrawing, 35 are not linked to the UN, while 31 are part of or affiliated with the United Nations system. Among the non-UN bodies are:
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
- The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA),
- The Global Forum on Migration and Development,
- And the Freedom Online Coalition.
In the case of UN entities, the presidential order includes the U.S. withdrawal from bodies such as:
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
- The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
White House Justification
The official document argues that, in the Trump administration’s judgment, these organizations have promoted globalist agendas or policies that do not align with Washington’s priorities.
Furthermore, they harm American sovereignty or represent unnecessary expenditure for taxpayers. Therefore, the measure orders all federal agencies to cease participation in and funding for these entities «to the extent permitted by law.»
White House officials stated that the administration seeks to redirect resources toward domestic priorities, such as infrastructure, national security, and economic strengthening, asserting that the withdrawal will enable more efficient management.
READ MORE: Trump claims the United States will be Venezuela’s main trading partner after new oil deal
Reactions and International Context
The U.S. withdrawal from such a broad number of international organizations represents one of the most significant moves in its recent foreign policy, marking a greater distance from multilateral cooperation.
Experts and international leaders have warned that the exit could weaken U.S. influence on global issues such as climate change, human rights, public health, and migration.
Critics have labeled the measure a setback in Washington’s commitment to global agreements and efforts. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters celebrate the decision as a step toward greater national sovereignty.
The withdrawal order adds to previous actions by this administration, which already included the U.S. exit from bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Human Rights Council, as well as the decision to leave the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2025.
