President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to immediately withdraw from several major international organizations focused on cybersecurity, digital rights, and countering hybrid warfare. The directive, outlined in a memorandum issued Monday, targets 66 international bodies the administration now considers “contrary to the interests of the United States.”
Although much public attention has centered on the administration’s withdrawal from climate and development groups, national security experts are concerned about the U.S. pulling out of key alliances that underpin global cyber cooperation. The memorandum directs U.S. withdrawal from the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), and the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC).
“I have reviewed the Secretary of State’s report… and have determined that continued membership is not in the United States’ interest,” Trump stated. The move underscores a shift toward a more unilateral approach to digital governance and cybersecurity, moving away from the multilateral frameworks that have shaped Western cyber policy for years.
Ending Participation in Hybrid Warfare Defense Efforts
One of the most consequential exits is from the Hybrid CoE, based in Helsinki. The center serves as a critical coordination point between NATO and the European Union, focusing on hybrid threats such as election interference, disinformation, and economic coercion—methods frequently linked to Russia and China.
The U.S. withdrawal weakens a shared intelligence and response mechanism relied on by European partners to counter these “grey zone” attacks. American participation has long been considered a cornerstone of deterrence; without it, coordinated transatlantic defenses against hybrid threats may be significantly undermined.
Retreat from Global Cyber Capacity-Building
The administration also intends to remove the U.S. from the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), a collaborative initiative involving governments, technology companies, and NGOs. The GFCE focuses on helping developing nations build cybersecurity capabilities—creating incident response teams, crafting cybercrime legislation, and protecting critical infrastructure.
By stepping back, the U.S. risks leaving a void in global cyber capacity‑building efforts. This opens the door for rival nations to step in and influence emerging digital ecosystems, potentially advancing more authoritarian models of cyber governance across the Global South.
Scaling Back Support for Internet Freedom
The withdrawal from the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) further highlights a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities. The FOC brings together 42 member states committed to defending human rights online, such as combating censorship, arbitrary internet shutdowns, and state surveillance abuses.
The U.S. has historically been a leading force within the coalition, using it to challenge governments that suppress online freedoms or persecute digital activists. Exiting the FOC signals a deprioritization of digital human rights on the global stage—an outcome critics warn may embolden regimes that seek to tighten information controls without fear of coordinated Western pushback.
The “America First” Approach to Cyber Policy
According to the administration, the withdrawals are intended to cut funding to “globalist” institutions they believe restrict U.S. autonomy. The stated goal is to redirect resources toward bilateral engagements where the U.S. can wield more direct influence.
However, cybersecurity analysts argue that disengagement carries its own risks. In a domain as interconnected as cyberspace, operating alone can create vulnerabilities. By relinquishing its role in key cyber coalitions, the U.S. may find itself isolated during future digital conflicts—while other nations, allies and adversaries alike, continue shaping global norms and cooperation frameworks without American leadership.
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