Alanna O’Malley in Trouw: American interests are viewed through a very narrow lens

America first

According to O'Malley, this may only be Trump's first step. It fits in with his “America First” strategy, in which he puts his money where his mouth is. Take Venezuela, the threat to Greenland and Latin America, and the bombing of Iran. 

The international organisations that the US has now left “all operate against American national interests, security and economic progress”, according to the White House statement. Although some of the organisations serve a good purpose, according to the White House, they are not efficient and therefore squander American taxpayers' money.

‘American interests are viewed through a very narrow lens,’ O'Malley says in Trouw. ‘Trump is not concerned with the greater humanitarian goal, or global governance, or serving any public interest whatsoever.’

Disregard for international law

The withdrawal of the US from international institutions is therefore very damaging, according to O'Malley. And not just because of the funding. The effect is also in the message that massive withdrawal from so many organisations sends. ‘Given that the US has shown such blatant disregard for international law and international institutions, other authoritarian regimes will now find it easier to say: we don't have to respect them either.’

Functioning better without the US

There may also be positive effects. After withdrawals from organisations during Trump's first term, some of them appeared to function better than with the US, says O'Malley. There is room for other, often more progressive countries. 

O'Malley does not see a complete withdrawal from the UN happening. ‘It remains a useful platform for Trump's rhetoric. The fact that they are still there and participating, as in Monday's emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Venezuela, even if it is in a negative way, is better than nothing.’