US President Donald Trump Withdraws United States from WHO via Executive Order
Newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an Executive Order officially withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over the organization’s management, lack of reform, and disproportionate financial burden on the U.S.
Key Reasons for Withdrawal
According to the Executive Order, the decision stems from:
1. Mishandling of Global Health Crises: The WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies was deemed inadequate.
2. Lack of Reform: Persistent failure to implement necessary reforms within the organization.
3. Disproportionate Financial Contributions: The U.S. contributes significantly more to the WHO than other nations, particularly China, which President Trump highlighted as inequitable.
The Executive Order reverses previous decisions by the Biden administration to rejoin and fund the WHO.
Immediate Actions Ordered
The directive outlines several measures, including:
Halting U.S. Funding: Immediate pause on all future financial contributions to the WHO.
Personnel Reassignment: Recalling U.S. personnel and contractors working with the organization.
Strategic Redirection: Identifying alternative partners to assume health initiatives previously managed by the WHO.
Impact on Global Health Diplomacy
The order also ceases U.S. participation in negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to International Health Regulations, effectively isolating the U.S. from these global health governance frameworks.
Path Forward
President Trump’s Executive Order tasks various agencies with revising U.S. global health strategies and ensuring domestic preparedness through newly established mechanisms within the National Security Council.
This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. global health policy, with potential ripple effects on international cooperation in combating future health crises.
