U.S. Withdraws from International Disinformation Agreements with Europe

The United States has officially notified European countries of its decision to terminate memorandums of understanding aimed at combating disinformation campaigns from Russia, China, and Iran. This withdrawal, communicated by the U.S. State Department last week, affects approximately 22 countries in Europe and Africa that had signed these agreements under the Biden administration in 2023. The memorandums were part of an initiative led by the Global Engagement Center (GEC), a State Department agency established in 2011 to counter terrorist propaganda and later expanded to address foreign disinformation efforts.

FT: U.S. Pulls Back from Joint Efforts with Europe Against Russian DisinformationThe United States is giving up agreements with Europe to combat disinformation from Russia and China. The Impact on RomaniaMeduzaFT: US ends cooperation with Europe against disinformation from Russia, China and IranThe U.S. ends its international cooperation against disinformation from Russia, China, and IranThe US withdrew from agreements to counter propaganda from Russia, China and Iran

The GEC was created to combat online radicalization and violent extremism but evolved to track and expose disinformation campaigns from hostile nations. However, the center faced significant criticism from Republican lawmakers, who accused it of censorship and suppressing conservative voices. This criticism culminated in the GEC's closure in December 2024, after which its functions were briefly transferred to another State Department unit, which was also dismantled by the Trump administration in April 2025.

The State Department is withdrawing from anti-disinformation pacts with European partners

James Rubin, the former head of the GEC, described the U.S. withdrawal from these agreements as a “unilateral act of disarmament” in the ongoing information war against adversaries like Russia and China. He emphasized that the rise of artificial intelligence is likely to exacerbate the risks associated with disinformation campaigns. Critics argue that this decision leaves a significant gap in the international response to foreign manipulation, particularly as Russia continues to engage in aggressive disinformation tactics aimed at destabilizing Western democracies.

The U.S. ends its international cooperation against disinformation from Russia, China, and Iran

The Biden administration's initiative aimed to create a unified approach among allies to identify and counteract disinformation. However, the Trump administration's policies, which included dismantling agencies responsible for election integrity, have been cited as a backdrop to this withdrawal. Darren Beattie, acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, defended the closure of the GEC, stating that its activities were incompatible with a pro-free speech stance and deemed ineffective.

The United States is giving up agreements with Europe to combat disinformation from Russia and China. The Impact on Romania

While the U.S. government has framed the termination of these agreements as a necessary step towards reducing perceived censorship, critics warn that this move undermines efforts to combat a persistent threat. The decision contrasts sharply with the historical context of foreign interference in U.S. elections, which has been a documented concern since at least 2016, when sanctions were imposed on Russia for its cyber activities.

The United States is giving up agreements with Europe to combat disinformation from Russia and China. The Impact on Romania

The cancellation of these agreements signifies a retreat from coordinated international efforts to counter disinformation, leaving countries like Romania and others without U.S. support in their fight against hostile propaganda. Experts warn that this withdrawal could embolden adversaries and complicate the landscape of information warfare, particularly as technological advancements continue to evolve.

The United States is giving up agreements with Europe to combat disinformation from Russia and China. The Impact on Romania

• “The former head of the center, James Rubin, called the move a "unilateral act of disarmament" in the information war with Russia and China.” — James Rubin, Former Head of the Global Engagement Center

FT: US ends cooperation with Europe against disinformation from Russia, China and Iran

• “Information warfare is a reality of our time, and artificial intelligence is only going to multiply the risks from that,” — James Rubin, Former Head of the Global Engagement Center

Kyiv Independent

• “Far from rejecting a single plan, we were proud to reject the entire GEC.” — Darren Beattie, Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy

The United States is giving up agreements with Europe to combat disinformation from Russia and China. The Impact on Romania

The U.S. withdrawal from these agreements marks a significant shift in its approach to international cooperation against disinformation, raising concerns about the future of democratic resilience in the face of foreign manipulation.

The United States is giving up agreements with Europe to combat disinformation from Russia and China. The Impact on Romania