Donald Trump Signs Executive Order to Reduce U.S. Involvement in the United Nations
On Tuesday, American President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from several United Nations bodies, including the Human Rights Council. This order also extends the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and mandates a review of U.S. participation in UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
In his speech, Trump acknowledged the “huge potential” of the UN, but strongly criticized its “mismanagement.” The decree includes a call to reassess American involvement and funding within the organization, due to significant discrepancies in financial contributions from various countries.
This is not the first time the American President has taken unilateral actions concerning international agreements. On the same day as his inauguration, he signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change, which he had previously described as “unfair and one-sided” during his election campaign.
