President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move he has long advocated, citing the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the White House shortly after his inauguration, Trump criticized the WHO, claiming the U.S. was contributing far more financially than China. “World Health ripped us off,” he said.
The United States is the largest financial contributor to the Geneva-based organization, and its withdrawal could significantly impact the WHO’s operations, potentially causing disruptions to global health initiatives.
This marks Trump’s second attempt to sever ties with the WHO. During his first term, the U.S. issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being unduly influenced by China during the early stages of the pandemic. That decision was reversed under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
In the new executive order, Trump instructed U.S. agencies to “pause the future transfer of any U.S. Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent U.S. and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”
The administration also announced plans to review and potentially rescind Biden’s 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to address infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”
The timing of the U.S. withdrawal comes as concerns rise over the potential pandemic threat posed by the ongoing bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and resulted in one death in the United States.
Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world’s first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021—talks that will now continue without U.S. participation.
AFP
