Trump Withdraws U.S. from UNHRC, UNRWA & UNESCO: A Major Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy
In a significant move, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday, officially withdrawing the United States from multiple United Nations (UN) bodies. The decision impacts key organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), while also calling for a broader review of U.S. funding to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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Why Did Trump Withdraw the U.S. from These UN Agencies?
According to White House staff secretary Will Scharf, the withdrawals were made in response to alleged “anti-American bias” within these organizations. The executive order not only terminates U.S. involvement in UNHRC and UNRWA but also initiates a reassessment of America’s financial contributions to various UN institutions.
End of U.S. Participation in UNHRC
The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which consists of 47 member nations elected by the UN General Assembly, had the U.S. as an observer state after its term ended on December 31, 2023. The executive order now completely removes the U.S. from the council’s proceedings, including global human rights reviews and investigations into alleged violations.
Trump’s Criticism of UN Funding: “Disproportionate & Unfair”
Trump has consistently criticized Washington’s financial burden in multilateral organizations, including the United Nations and NATO. In his statement, Trump emphasized the need for equitable funding among nations, stating:
“It should be funded by everybody, but we’re disproportionate, as we always seem to be.”
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U.S. Funding Freeze on UNRWA and Its Impact on Palestine
UNRWA, the primary aid organization supporting Palestinian refugees, has faced significant funding cuts due to U.S. decisions. With 1.9 million people in Gaza relying on its aid for survival, the U.S. withdrawal raises concerns over worsening humanitarian conditions.
The move aligns with Israel’s stance, as it has accused UNRWA of spreading anti-Israel material. Earlier, the Biden administration had already halted U.S. funding in January 2024 after allegations surfaced that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. However, multiple independent investigations later found “neutrality-related issues” but no concrete evidence supporting Israel’s primary claims. Despite this, most other donor nations resumed their funding, whereas the U.S. maintained its suspension.
Repeating Trump’s First-Term Policies
Trump’s latest executive order mirrors his previous term’s actions when he:
- Exited the Paris Climate Agreement
- Began the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Cut funding to UN agencies, citing inefficiency and bias
What’s Next for U.S. Foreign Policy?
As Trump repeats key policies from his first term, the decision to withdraw from major UN bodies signals a more isolationist U.S. foreign policy. With growing concerns about geopolitical shifts, funding gaps, and diplomatic fallout, the world watches closely to see how these decisions shape future international relations.
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