Trump announces withdrawal from over sixty international treaties and organizations, targeting the United Nations and climate change organizations.

Trump recently announced in a memorandum that the United States will withdraw from over sixty international treaties and organizations, including several long-standing U.S. participation in international organizations and multilateral treaties, covering key agreements signed with the United Nations on climate change and ocean issues, as well as related organizations. The move is seen as a resurgence of the Trump administration’s “America First” policy, with the memorandum explicitly stating that spending on these international institutions is a waste of American taxpayers’ money, targeting organizations led by the United Nations, as well as treaties involving renewable energy and counter-terrorism cooperation. The announcement has sparked widespread attention across various sectors.

66 organizations named, including 31 treaty organizations related to the United Nations

According to the memorandum issued on January 7, the U.S. plans to withdraw from as many as 66 organizations, 31 of which are directly related to the United Nations. Notable among the list are the “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Additionally, several international agreements and organizations involved in renewable energy development, ocean governance, anti-piracy efforts, counter-terrorism cooperation, and women’s empowerment are also included in the withdrawal list.

The memorandum states that these organizations, treaties, and conventions are contrary to American interests. The decision was made following a comprehensive review of all international organizations, treaties, and conventions in which the U.S. is currently involved, directed by Secretary of State Pompeo under Trump’s instructions. Pompeo described these entities as anti-American, useless, or wasteful, indicating that the U.S. will no longer fund global bureaucracies.

What are the well-known international treaties and organizations the U.S. is withdrawing from?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in 1992, and the U.S. is the first and only country to withdraw from the convention.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a leading global authority on climate science.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): The main UN agency responsible for reproductive health and population statistics.

The United Nations Women: The main UN agency responsible for gender equality and empowerment.

Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF): An international forum aimed at reducing extremism.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

United Nations Water Mechanism and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The White House states that taxpayer funds should be allocated to other priorities

According to Reuters, the White House defends the decision, stating that withdrawing from these treaties and organizations will end U.S. taxpayer funding and participation in entities that “place the globalist agenda above America’s interests or handle major issues in an inefficient or ineffective manner.” The White House emphasizes that American taxpayers’ money is better spent elsewhere to support missions more aligned with national interests.

From signing to full withdrawal: U.S. role rapidly changing

The “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” was approved by the U.S. Senate in October 1992 and signed by President George H. W. Bush at the time. The U.S. was also the first industrialized country to sign the convention. Bush described the treaty as the first step in a long-term international effort to address climate change, symbolizing U.S. leadership in global climate governance. The convention requires signatories to conduct comprehensive inventories of greenhouse gas sources and sinks, such as carbon dioxide, and develop national climate action plans. However, with this withdrawal, this historic commitment is officially coming to an end.

Downplaying climate policy continuation, IPCC cooperation fully interrupted

The withdrawal from the UNFCCC and IPCC is not an isolated event but part of a series of climate policy rollbacks by the Trump administration since 2025. Previously, the government issued executive orders banning federal employees from participating in the drafting of the next IPCC assessment report. The IPCC has long been regarded as the most authoritative scientific body on climate change, and its reports are a crucial scientific basis for countries to formulate climate policies.

Academic and think tank opposition

The decision for the U.S. to withdraw from international cooperation in climate and ocean sectors has been sharply criticized by multiple research institutions and experts. David Vidaski, director of the U.S. branch of the World Resources Institute, called withdrawing from the “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” a strategic mistake that hands over U.S. advantages for free. He pointed out that this not only means the U.S. will be absent from negotiations but will completely withdraw from the game that concerns the future. He warned that as other countries actively seize opportunities brought by the booming clean energy economy, American citizens and businesses may suffer tangible economic losses in competition.

Rachel Klitus, policy director and economist at the Scientists’ Alliance on Climate and Energy, criticized the withdrawal as another act of the current government lowering the bar. She stated that this demonstrates a despotic, anti-science government willing to sacrifice public welfare and undermine global cooperation. Klitus further warned that this move will isolate the U.S. further internationally, weaken its global influence, and after a series of controversial policies, significantly damage America’s international reputation and relationships with historic allies, ultimately making the world less safe.

Reducing U.N. participation, multilateral system faces further impact

Since Trump’s re-election, the U.S. government has continued to push for cuts in funding and participation in the U.N. system, including suspending cooperation with the U.N. Human Rights Council and its subsidiary, UNESCO. The White House has also announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization, indicating that the U.S. is gradually distancing itself from an international order centered on multilateral cooperation.

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