By : Lloyd Mahachi
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the agency’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. This move is not unexpected, as Trump has been critical of the WHO since 2020, accusing the agency of being too close to China and failing to provide accurate information about the pandemic.
The withdrawal notice was issued just hours after Trump took office, and it marks a significant shift in the United States’ approach to global health. The WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating international responses to health crises, and the United States has historically been one of the agency’s largest contributors. The US provides around 18% of the WHO’s overall funding, with its most recent two-year budget for 2024-2025 being $6.8 billion.
Trump has criticized the WHO for requiring “unfairly onerous payments” from the US, which he claims are disproportionate to the sums provided by other countries, such as China. He also accused the WHO of failing to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”. China’s foreign ministry has responded to Trump’s decision, stating that the role of the WHO in global health governance should only be strengthened, not weakened.
The US departure from the WHO will likely put at risk programs across the organization, including those tackling tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other health emergencies. The withdrawal process is expected to take at least 12 months, during which time the US will be required to pay its financial obligations to the WHO. The move has been met with widespread criticism from public health experts and lawmakers, who argue that it will undermine the US’ ability to respond to global health crises.
The WHO plays a critical role in detecting and responding to emerging health threats, and the loss of US funding and expertise may undermine the agency’s ability to perform this function. The agency also serves as a de facto drug and vaccine regulatory agency, providing critical guidance and support to countries around the world. The US withdrawal from the WHO may have significant implications for global health governance and the agency’s ability to coordinate international responses to health emergencies.
Public health experts have warned that the withdrawal could have serious consequences for global health. Lawrence O. Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, described the move as “a grievous wound” to public health and “an even deeper wound to American national interests and national security”. Tom Bollyky, director of global health for the Council on Foreign Relations, called the move “an enormous mistake”.
The US withdrawal from the WHO may also have significant implications for the global response to future pandemics. The WHO plays a critical role in coordinating international responses to health crises, and the loss of US funding and expertise may undermine the agency’s ability to perform this function. This could have serious consequences for global health, as the WHO may be less able to respond effectively to future pandemics.
The WHO has made significant contributions to global health, including the eradication of smallpox and the development of vaccines against diseases such as polio and measles. The agency has also played a key role in responding to other global health crises, including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the Zika virus outbreak in the Americas.
The US withdrawal from the WHO may also have significant implications for the agency’s ability to coordinate international responses to health emergencies. The WHO relies heavily on contributions from its member states, and the loss of US funding will likely be deeply felt. This could have serious consequences for global health, as the WHO may be less able to respond effectively to future health emergencies.
The move has been met with widespread criticism from public health experts and lawmakers, who argue that it will undermine the US’ ability to respond to global health crises. The American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and other health organizations have all criticized the move, arguing that it will have serious consequences for global health.
The US withdrawal from the WHO may also have significant implications for the global economy. The WHO plays a critical role in coordinating international responses to health crises, and the loss of US funding and expertise may undermine the agency’s ability to perform this function. This could have serious consequences for global trade and commerce, as the WHO may be less able to respond effectively to future health emergencies.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi