US Retreats from Multiple Global Organizations, Including Climate Initiatives

The Second Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by Trump in 2025

In a significant move, President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is stepping back from 66 international entities. This comprises groups dedicated to addressing climate change, showcasing Trump's administration's lack of commitment to global environmental collaboration. This decision follows his earlier withdrawal from the Paris climate accord in 2025.

Notable among the organizations the US is distancing itself from are the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Additionally, the US will sever ties with various organizations related to trade, conservation, reproductive rights, and immigration, such as the International Trade Centre, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the UN Population Fund, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development. Withdrawing from these UN-related bodies also signifies the end of US financial contributions.

The White House justifies these withdrawals by stating that these groups endorse extreme climate agendas and global governance models, which supposedly clash with US autonomy and economic principles. Although it's suggested that taxpayer funds will be saved as a result, the administration has not disclosed the exact savings or future allocation plans.

Reactions and Implications of US Exit

Former Vice President Al Gore criticized the move, arguing that by abandoning critical climate partnerships like the IPCC and UNFCCC, the Trump administration is unraveling years of diplomatic progress, undermining climate science, and fostering global skepticism.

Though the financial impact of losing US backing is uncertain, aspects of these withdrawals remain unclear. Some organizations appear unaffected, such as the International Energy Agency, which continues involving the US in pursuing global solutions for clean energy. Furthermore, many groups the US is leaving were consultative, with the US playing only a minor role, according to a UN representative.

Further Pushes Against International Regulations

This retreat is consistent with the second Trump administration's broader agenda to oppose international norms, specifically in technology regulation. Notably, the US pulled out of trade discussions with Canada over a digital services tax in mid-2025 and recently prohibited former European Commissioner Thierry Breton from entering the US due to his involvement in crafting the Digital Services Act.