President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, marking a significant decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that reflects a dramatic shift in the nation's approach to global health diplomacy and international cooperation on health matters. The order directs the U.S. government to cease its participation in the WHO and halts the transfer of any U.S. government funds, resources, or support to the organization.
The announcement was made shortly after President Trump’s speech at the White House, where he expressed his dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He specifically accused the organization of being overly favorable toward China and blamed it for mishandling critical global health responses during the crisis. Trump stated, "The World Health Organization ripped us off,” explaining that the United States has been contributing far more in funding to the organization compared to China, and as a result, he emphasized that the time had come to put an end to this financial imbalance.
The United States has long been the largest financial contributor to the WHO, providing significant support to the organization’s initiatives and global health programs. The executive order effectively suspends this financial support and calls for the identification of new international and domestic partners to take over the WHO’s duties and manage initiatives once overseen by the organization. This decision will likely have wide-reaching implications on global health operations, potentially leading to restructuring within the WHO.
This action is not the first time that President Trump has attempted to sever ties with the WHO. In his first term, he announced plans to withdraw from the organization, citing similar concerns about its relationship with China, especially during the early stages of the pandemic. However, this decision was reversed by President Joe Biden, who took office in 2021 and rejoined the WHO, restoring U.S. membership and funding. This latest move from the Trump administration signals a continued divergence from international health cooperation under Biden's leadership.
In addition to the WHO withdrawal, the Trump administration has indicated that it plans to review and rescind several global health policies put in place by the Biden administration. This includes a review of the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, a framework designed to prevent, detect, and respond to global infectious disease threats. According to the executive order, this review process will begin "as soon as practicable,” further complicating the global health landscape at a time of rising health threats.
The timing of this withdrawal raises serious concerns, particularly as the world grapples with the potential emergence of an H5N1 bird flu outbreak. This strain of the virus has already affected several countries and led to fatalities, including cases within the United States, raising fears that it could evolve into a global health emergency. The withdrawal also occurs amidst ongoing international negotiations among WHO member states regarding the establishment of a global treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response—underscoring the high stakes involved in the United States' disengagement from the organization.
As the global health community faces these mounting challenges, the U.S. departure from the WHO could significantly impact the international effort to combat pandemics and address health emergencies worldwide. The future of global health cooperation remains uncertain as this complex situation continues to unfold.