Trump decides to withdraw America from 66 international organizations all at once
In a move reinforcing the "America First" approach adopted by the US administration, President Donald Trump signed a significant presidential memorandum on Wednesday formally withdrawing the United States from 66 international organizations. This decision culminates a series of measures aimed at reassessing the value of US participation in multilateral international blocs.
Details of the presidential memorandum
The White House announced in an official statement that President Trump signed a memorandum terminating Washington's membership in these organizations, arguing that they "no longer serve American interests." The detailed statement explained that the decision requires all federal departments and agencies to immediately cease participation in and cut funding to 35 independent organizations not affiliated with the United Nations, as well as 31 UN agencies and bodies.
Political context: The “America First” doctrine
This decision cannot be understood in isolation from the broader context of President Trump's foreign policy since taking office. His presidency has been marked by sharp criticism of international institutions, with Trump arguing that the United States bears a heavy financial burden in funding these organizations without receiving commensurate political or economic returns. This approach is based on the principle of national sovereignty and a preference for direct bilateral relations with other countries rather than engaging in multilateral agreements that might constrain American decision-making.
A long history of withdrawals
This momentous decision adds to a long list of similar moves by the US administration in recent years. The United States has already withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the UN Human Rights Council, as well as from the Iran nuclear deal and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. These successive actions indicate a clear desire to restructure the international system in a way that ensures the supremacy of direct US interests.
Expected international repercussions
This mass withdrawal of 66 organizations is expected to send shockwaves through international diplomacy. Experts believe that the absence of US funding and political support could weaken these organizations' ability to carry out their missions, whether humanitarian, developmental, or political. This withdrawal also opens the door for other international powers, such as China and Russia, to fill the void left by Washington, potentially reshaping the global balance of power and the influence of states within these UN bodies in the near future.
