Trump withdraws U.S. from dozens of international organizations

President Trump on Wednesday withdrew the United States from dozens of international organizations intended to foster multinational cooperation, cutting ties with forums addressing international security, law, trade, economics and human rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited waste, mismanagement and redundancy in explaining the simultaneous withdrawals, saying 'It is no longer acceptable to be sending these institutions the blood, sweat and treasure of the American people, with little to nothing to show for it.' He also asserted that many organizations were 'dominated by progressive ideology,' including gender equality and climate change, and suggested the move was in line with the administration's decision to shutter the U.S.

Agency for International Development. The United Nations did not immediately comment. An executive order signed by Mr. Trump was described as following a broader foreign policy that shuns coalition building and international consensus and focuses on projecting American power. The unilateral withdrawals include bodies where China and Russia are members, such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the International Energy Forum, the International Renewable Energy Agency and several U.N.

commissions and panels; the United States withdrew from all of them on Wednesday. Many of the organizations listed do not appear to require direct national membership, but the move seemed to signal the administration would likely refuse to cooperate with them.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, United Nations, Unesco, World Health Organization