PRESIDENT DONALD Trump released a presidential memorandum today ordering the US to withdraw from 66 global organisations and treaties – roughly half affiliated with the United Nations – for being “contrary to the interests of the United States.”

The move has garnered significant criticism, with the UN’s climate chief calling it a “colossal own goal” that will only harm Trump’s country.

Most notable among organisations he withdrew it from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which underpins all major international climate agreements.

UNFCCC executive secretary Simon Stiell said Trump’s decision will “only harm the US economy, jobs and living standards.”

It is a colossal own goal which will leave the US less secure and less prosperous.

His remarks were followed by comments from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said he “regrets” the US decision to withdraw from multiple international bodies, without naming any one organisation.

“The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us, and we will continue to carry out our mandates with determination,” Guterres said, while reminding member states of their legal obligations to fund the world body’s budget.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change, said it will continue to collaborate with remaining members to produce its reports.

Critics have warned Trump’s move will further isolate the country on the global stage.

But a statement from the White House said it doesn’t want to work with organisations that “undermine America’s independence and waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective or hostile agendas”.

“Many of these bodies promote radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength,” it said.

“By exiting these entities, President Trump is saving taxpayer money and refocusing resources on America First priorities.” 

History

The UNFCCC treaty adopted in 1992 is a global pact by nations to cooperate to drive down planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

It was adopted 34 years ago at the Rio Earth Summit and approved by the US Senate by a 92-0 vote during George H.W. Bush’s presidency.

“The decision by the world’s largest economy and second-largest emitter to retreat from it is regrettable and unfortunate,” European Union climate chief Wopke Hoekstra said.

Trump has thrown the full weight of his domestic policy behind fossil fuels and derides climate science as a “hoax.”

His administration sent no representative to November’s UN climate summit in Brazil, which is held annually under UNFCCC auspices.

Trump has already withdrawn from the landmark Paris climate accord since returning to office, just as he did during his first term from 2017–2021 in a move later reversed by his successor, Democratic president Joe Biden.

With reporting by AFP