President Donald Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations that he claims no longer serve American interests.
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whitehouse.govThis decision includes ceasing participation in 35 non-United Nations (UN) organizations and 31 UN entities, which the administration argues operate contrary to US national interests, security, and economic prosperity.
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abcnews.go.comThe organizations targeted for withdrawal include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is a key treaty for international climate negotiations.
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usnews.comThe Trump administration has characterized many of these entities as redundant, mismanaged, and unnecessary, asserting that they promote agendas that conflict with US sovereignty and economic strength.
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abcnews.go.comusnews.comThis move follows a comprehensive review of all international organizations and treaties that the US is involved with, initiated earlier this year.
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whitehouse.govThe White House stated that the withdrawals aim to end American taxpayer funding for entities that advance globalist agendas over US priorities, thereby reallocating resources to support missions that align more closely with American interests.
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whitehouse.govAmong the organizations from which the US will withdraw are the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on sexual and reproductive health, and UN Women, which promotes gender equality and women's empowerment.
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usnews.comThe administration has previously cut funding to these agencies, reflecting a long-standing skepticism towards multilateral institutions.
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abcnews.go.comCritics of the withdrawal argue that it represents a significant retreat from global cooperation, particularly in addressing pressing issues like climate change.
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abcnews.go.comExperts warn that the US exit from the UNFCCC could hinder global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, as it may embolden other nations to delay their commitments.
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abcnews.go.comusnews.comThe decision to withdraw from these organizations marks a stark departure from the approach taken by previous administrations, both Republican and Democratic, which generally sought to engage with international bodies to address global challenges.
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abcnews.go.comDaniel Forti, a senior UN analyst, noted that this reflects a crystallization of the US approach to multilateralism, characterized by a "my way or the highway" mentality.
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abcnews.go.comThe Trump administration's strategy has already seen the US suspend support for various international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the UN Human Rights Council.
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usnews.comThis selective engagement with international bodies has raised concerns about the future of US leadership in global governance and the potential implications for international stability.
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usnews.comAs the US moves forward with these withdrawals, the State Department has indicated that additional reviews of international organizations are ongoing, suggesting that more changes could be on the horizon.
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abcnews.go.comThe implications of this shift will likely resonate across various sectors, from climate policy to international relations, as the US redefines its role on the global stage.
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usnews.comIn summary, Trump's decision to withdraw from these international organizations underscores a significant shift in US foreign policy, prioritizing national interests over global cooperation.The long-term effects of this strategy remain to be seen, particularly in the context of pressing global challenges that require collective action.