The US threatens to leave the International Energy Agency if the organization is not reformed

The United States could leave the International Energy Agency (IEA) if no consensus is reached on the organization’s direction regarding climate and energy issues, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday at an event organized by the Wall Street Journal in New York.

“Either we reform the IEA, or we will leave the IEA. I very much want reform,” the US official said. The statement is the latest threat by the administration in Washington to withdraw from the international organization.

Wright has repeatedly criticized the IEA’s approach, which he claims favors renewable sources, is hostile to hydrocarbons and harms economic growth. The US secretary provided no details about the potential changes being sought or a timetable for withdrawal.

The IEA is the leading energy advisory body for 29 of the world’s most developed countries. The agency was established after the first oil shock of 1973–1974 to coordinate the use of oil from reserve stocks and strengthen energy cooperation among member states.

Over the past decade, the IEA’s ministerial meetings, held once every two years, have generally concluded with joint communiqués. The exception was 2017, which coincided with the beginning of Donald Trump’s first presidential term.