Trump Pulls US Out of WHO: Executive Order Sparks Global Health Concerns

On Monday, January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing dissatisfaction with the agency's management of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health challenges. Trump criticized the WHO for failing to act independently of political influences from member states and for imposing what he described as "unfairly burdensome" financial obligations on the U.S., especially when compared to contributions from larger nations like China.

“WHO has been taking advantage of the United States, just like so many others, that stops now.” Trump declared during the signing of the executive order formalizing the decision.

The withdrawal, set to take effect in 12 months, will also include a cessation of U.S. financial contributions to the organization. Historically, the United States has been the WHO’s largest financial supporter, providing about 18% of its total budget. For the 2024–2025 period, the WHO’s budget stands at $6.8 billion, with the U.S. playing a critical role in its funding.

This decision follows Trump's earlier efforts in 2020 to disengage from the WHO during his first presidential term, when he accused the organization of being overly influenced by China and of misleading the global community about COVID-19’s origins. While the WHO denies these accusations and continues to urge China to share more data about the virus’s origins, Trump has maintained his stance.

The executive order mandates that U.S. government personnel working with the WHO be reassigned and that negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty be halted. It also calls for a review and revision of the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy to reflect this shift in policy.

Experts have expressed concern over the withdrawal’s potential impact. The U.S. departure will jeopardize critical WHO programs, such as those addressing tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and global health emergencies. Additionally, it may undermine international collaborations, including partnerships with agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which currently work closely with the WHO.

In 2020, Trump had similarly suspended U.S. contributions, costing the WHO nearly $200 million during its fight against COVID-19. However, his plans for a full withdrawal were halted when Joe Biden assumed the presidency in 2021 and immediately restored U.S. membership on his first day in office.

This latest move by Trump is seen as a direct follow-up to his earlier attempts. Health experts warn that it could weaken global health initiatives, as the U.S. provides approximately $1.1 billion in voluntary contributions to the WHO every two years. Even though other countries might try to fill the funding gap, no single nation is likely to fully compensate for the U.S.’s financial and technical support.

The WHO, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has historically benefited from strong American backing since its founding in 1948. The U.S.’s withdrawal may also require Congress’s involvement, as the country joined the organization through legislative action. With a Republican majority in both the Senate and House, Trump’s decision is expected to face minimal resistance.

Observers have raised concerns about the consequences for both global and domestic health. The loss of American support could delay the WHO’s response to health emergencies and hinder its efforts to combat infectious diseases. Conversely, the U.S. risks becoming more isolated and less prepared to address emerging health crises without the resources and collaborative efforts facilitated by the WHO.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)