President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision, announced on January 20, 2025, marks the second attempt by the Trump administration to exit the global health body, following a similar move in 2020 that was later reversed by President Joe Biden.
Reasons for Withdrawal
The executive order cites several reasons for the withdrawal:
Mishandling of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The administration criticizes the WHO’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, alleging failures in managing the crisis that originated in Wuhan, China.
Lack of Urgent Reforms: The order points to the WHO’s failure to implement necessary reforms to address global health challenges effectively.
Political Influence: Concerns are raised about the WHO’s inability to remain independent from the political influence of its member states.
Financial Disparitie: The administration highlights the disproportionate financial contributions, noting that the U.S. has been the largest donor, contributing significantly more than countries like China, which has a larger population but contributes less.
The withdrawal process requires a one-year notice period and obliges the U.S. to settle any outstanding financial commitments to the WHO. Consequently, the U.S. is set to officially leave the organization on January 22, 2026.
This move entails halting U.S. government funding to the WHO, recalling federal personnel, and seeking alternative partners to assume roles previously managed by the organization. Experts warn that this decision could reverse progress in combating diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and weaken global defenses against future pandemics.
The WHO has expressed regret over the U.S. decision, emphasizing the longstanding partnership and collaborative efforts that have led to significant global health achievements. In a statement, the organization said, “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
Health experts have also voiced concerns about the potential impact of the withdrawal. Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University described the move as “cataclysmic,” warning that it could compromise the safety and health of Americans and the global community.
As the U.S. proceeds with its withdrawal from the WHO, the global health community faces uncertainty.
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