Trump pulls US out of 66 international bodies in major break from global institutions

President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, signalling a deepening retreat from multilateral engagement and a renewed push to align US foreign policy strictly with what his administration describes as national interests.

The decision was announced in a White House Fact Sheet released on January 7, 2026, after Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing an immediate end to US participation in dozens of global bodies deemed no longer beneficial to the country.

“Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations that no longer serve American interests,” the White House said.

The directive instructs all executive departments and agencies to halt participation in and funding for 35 non-United Nations organisations and 31 UN-affiliated entities. According to the administration, the affected institutions operate in ways that run counter to US sovereignty, security, economic prosperity or strategic priorities.

The withdrawals followed an extensive review launched earlier in the year into all international intergovernmental organisations, treaties and conventions supported or funded by the United States.

The White House said the move was aimed at stopping the flow of taxpayer funds to institutions accused of prioritising global agendas over domestic needs.

“These withdrawals will end American taxpayer funding for entities that advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities or operate so inefficiently that U.S. resources are better deployed elsewhere,” the statement said.

Sovereignty at the centre

The administration framed the decision as part of a broader effort to restore American independence in global affairs, accusing many of the organisations of promoting policies at odds with US values.

“Many of these bodies promote radical climate policies, global governance and ideological programmes that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength,” the Fact Sheet said.

It added that despite years of heavy US financial contributions, many of the organisations had delivered little tangible benefit in return.

“American taxpayers have spent billions on these institutions, which often criticise U.S. policies, pursue agendas contrary to our values or fail to produce meaningful outcomes,” the White House said.

By withdrawing, the administration said Trump is cutting wasteful spending and redirecting resources to domestic priorities under his “America First” agenda.

Part of a wider retreat

The latest action builds on a string of international withdrawals since Trump returned to office, reinforcing a foreign policy approach centred on unilateral decision-making.

The White House noted that Trump had already moved to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement shortly after resuming office.

On his first day back in power, he also signed a memorandum notifying the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that its Global Tax Deal would have no effect in the United States, while ordering a review of foreign tax rules that could disadvantage American companies.

In the weeks that followed, 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).

Focus shifts inward

According to the administration, the withdrawals are part of a broader reallocation of attention and resources toward domestic priorities such as infrastructure, border security and military readiness.

“He has prioritised American interests by redirecting focus and resources toward domestic needs and protecting American companies from foreign interference,” the White House said.