Washington D.C. — President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from 66 international organizations and agreements, including UN agencies that support women and children as well as the key global treaty on climate change, is this administration’s latest act of strategic self-sabotage. By abandoning international rules and partnerships, the administration is weakening the United States’ ability to influence the world while emboldening our adversaries who will fill the void.
The consequences of this disengagement will be real for Americans. International cooperation is how governments confront transnational challenges that affect food and energy prices, migration, and shared economic growth. The administration’s retreat from the world will result in lost export opportunities and market access for U.S. companies, higher energy costs for Americans, and a greater chance for disease and conflict abroad to reach our shores.
“International institutions are where American power is multiplied, not diminished,” said Brian Volsky, Policy Director for Foreign Policy for America. “When the U.S. walks away from key decision-making bodies, we lose visibility, influence, and the ability to shape outcomes in our favor.”
While the Trump administration steps back, other countries are continuing to work through these and other international bodies to shape global rules, manage shared risks, and capture emerging economic opportunities. Congress, along with states, cities, and businesses, should press forward to protect U.S. interests and ensure the country is positioned for swift federal reengagement when the opportunity opens.
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