By The South Asia Times

Washington - The United States has announced its withdrawal from 66 international organizations and bodies, including 31 entities linked to the United Nations, under a new presidential memorandum signed by President Donald J. Trump on January 7, 2026, in what the White House described as a move to protect U.S. national interests.

The directive, titled “Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States,” orders all executive departments and agencies to immediately begin the process of ending U.S. participation in, and funding for, a wide range of international institutions deemed incompatible with American priorities, according to White House.

31 UN Bodies, 35 Other Organizations

According to the memorandum, the United States will withdraw from:

• 31 United Nations bodies, including key structures such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Women, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UN Democracy Fund, UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund, the International Law Commission, and multiple UN special offices dealing with children, gender, violence in conflict, and Africa.

• 35 non-UN organizations, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Solar Alliance, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Global Counterterrorism Forum, Freedom Online Coalition, and several regional and environmental cooperation frameworks.

In total, the move affects 66 international bodies.

- Reason: “Contrary to the Interests of the United States”

The memorandum states that the action follows a comprehensive review mandated by Executive Order 14199, issued in February 2025, which required the Secretary of State to assess all international organizations, conventions, and treaties involving U.S. membership or funding.

“I have determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to the organizations listed,” President Trump wrote.

For UN entities, the directive clarifies that withdrawal will mean ceasing participation or funding “to the extent permitted by law.”

The administration argues that many of the targeted institutions impose regulatory, financial, or political constraints that conflict with U.S. sovereignty, economic priorities, or security interests. The review, the memorandum says, remains ongoing, suggesting additional withdrawals could follow.

- Implementation and Legal Framing

The order authorizes the Secretary of State to issue further guidance to departments and agencies and directs that the memorandum be published in the Federal Register. It also notes that implementation must remain consistent with existing law and available appropriations and does not create any enforceable legal rights.

The White House framed the decision as part of a broader “America First” policy approach, emphasizing national autonomy over multilateral commitments.

- China Reacts: “Selfishness and Lack of Responsibility”

The decision drew swift criticism from China. State-run newspaper Global Times said the move exemplifies U.S. unilateralism and disregard for global responsibility.

“So, this is what ‘America First’ truly means?” the outlet wrote in a commentary, ” It added that as a major power, the United States is “demonstrating what selfishness and a lack of responsibility look like.”

- Global Implications

The withdrawal from climate, development, human rights, gender equality, population, peacebuilding, and trade-related bodies is expected to have wide-ranging implications for international cooperation, particularly in areas such as climate change, development financing, public health, and post-conflict stabilization.

Analysts say the move could weaken multilateral mechanisms where U.S. funding and influence have traditionally played a significant role, while also reshaping diplomatic alignments as other powers move to fill the vacuum.

With Washington signaling that further reviews are underway, the memorandum marks one of the most extensive U.S. disengagements from international institutions in modern history—reinforcing a sharp turn toward unilateralism in American foreign policy.