Why Is the U.S. Leaving UNESCO?

In a major foreign policy move, the Trump administration has announced the United States will withdraw from UNESCO by the end of 2025, citing concerns over bias and sovereignty.

The decision marks a return to an “America First” stance on international cooperation, echoing a similar withdrawal under Trump’s first term.

UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency, is known for designating and preserving World Heritage sites of “outstanding universal value.” The U.S. currently has 26 such sites, including national treasures like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Monticello, Independence Hall, and the San Antonio Missions.

While the withdrawal doesn’t remove these landmarks from the global list, it raises long-term questions about funding, maintenance, and global collaboration on cultural preservation.

Historically, U.S. relations with UNESCO have been tense, with withdrawals in 1984, 2017, and now again in 2025, primarily over political disputes and funding issues. The announcement comes just ahead of a series of global UNESCO meetings.