Donald Trump’s administration has withdrawn the United States from the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption monitoring body, arguing that paying to belong to the multilateral group no longer serves US interests.

The US formally notified the Strasbourg-based organization on Monday that it was leaving the Group of States against Corruption, known as Greco – the latest step in a broader effort by the administration to pull back from international bodies it regards as inefficient, overreaching, or out of step with its priorities.

A US state department spokesperson said the decision followed a review of US involvement in the body, and marks a shift from countries holding each other to shared standards towards Washington acting on its own.

“The US Department of State’s primary responsibility is to protect the American people,” the spokesperson said. “The United States is focused on combating criminal threats that directly threaten Americans, including corruption undermining American security and prosperity.”

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