In a major policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing financial burdens, lack of transparency, and political bias within the organization.
The executive order, which was signed shortly after his inauguration, aims to “pause the future transfer of any United States 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.”
Trump’s Criticism of WHO
Speaking at the White House, Trump reiterated his longstanding criticism of the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial inefficiencies, stating that the organization has “ripped off the United States” by demanding disproportionately high payments compared to other member nations.
“China, with a population of 1.4 billion, contributes nearly 90% less to the WHO than the United States, despite having a population three times larger,” Trump argued.
A statement published on the White House website elaborated on the administration’s grievances, highlighting the WHO’s alleged failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, mismanagement of past global health crises, and inability to operate independently from political influence exerted by certain member states.
Immediate Policy Actions
The executive order includes several key directives:
Cessation of WHO Funding: All U.S. government financial contributions to the WHO will be halted with immediate effect.
Revocation of Prior Commitments: The executive order revokes previous policies, including Executive Order 13987 of January 25, 2021, which had committed the U.S. to a global leadership role in health security.
Suspension of WHO Agreements: The Secretary of State has been instructed to cease participation in negotiations regarding the WHO Pandemic Agreement and proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations.
Review of Health Security Strategies: The administration will undertake a comprehensive review of the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, introduced under President Biden, with the intention of dismantling it “as soon as practicable.”
The order explicitly states that it “does not create any enforceable right or benefit” for individuals or entities against the U.S. government, ensuring that no legal challenges can arise from its implementation.
Global Implications and Fallout
The withdrawal is expected to have far-reaching consequences, as the U.S. is the WHO’s largest donor, providing a significant portion of its budget. The loss of American funding could severely impact global health initiatives, including efforts to combat emerging health threats like the new bird flu outbreak in China, which WHO member states are set to discuss in an upcoming emergency meeting.
However, without U.S. participation, global decision-making on such crises may face significant hurdles.
Health experts and international leaders have expressed concerns that the U.S. exit could undermine global pandemic preparedness and response efforts, potentially leaving vulnerabilities in international health security.
On the other hand, Trump’s supporters and conservative policymakers argue that the withdrawal is a necessary step to protect American taxpayers and sovereignty from what they view as a bureaucratic and politically compromised organization.
The Second Attempt at WHO Withdrawal
This marks the second time Trump has attempted to sever ties with the WHO. In 2020, his administration initiated a withdrawal process in response to the organization’s handling of COVID-19 but was reversed by President Biden upon taking office.
With this latest order, the Trump administration has reaffirmed its stance that the U.S. should disengage from what it sees as an ineffective and biased global health body, redirecting resources towards domestic and allied health initiatives.
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