Trump Withdraws U.S. from the World Health Organization

US President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). President Trump outlined several reasons for the withdrawal in an executive order issued shortly after taking office.

Trump’s Justifications for WHO Withdrawal

President Trump outlined several reasons for the withdrawal of the U.S from WHO. These included allegations of the WHO’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to implement critical reforms, and imposing “unfair financial burdens” on the U.S.

The president also criticized the financial disparity in contributions, claiming that China’s payments to the WHO were disproportionately lower than those of the U.S.

Trump’s dissatisfaction with the WHO was not new. His criticisms date back to 2020 when he publicly condemned the organization for its pandemic response and suspended U.S. funding. Although he initiated steps to withdraw that year, the process was halted when his successor, President Joseph R. Biden Jr., blocked the move on his first day in office in January 2021.

Implications for US withdrawal from WHO

The decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), announced by President Donald Trump, has sparked significant concern among public health experts and policymakers worldwide. They warn that this move undermines America’s position as a global health leader and jeopardizes the collective ability to combat future pandemics.

The WHO, established in 1948 with significant U.S. support, has a mission to tackle global health challenges and improve the well-being of people worldwide. Its efforts include combating diseases like Zika, Ebola, and COVID-19, as well as delivering humanitarian aid to conflict zones such as Gaza. With an annual budget of approximately $6.8 billion, the U.S. has traditionally been the largest donor, providing critical resources for the organization’s initiatives.

Health law expert Lawrence O. Gostin, who was involved in the pandemic treaty discussions, described the U.S. withdrawal as a “grievous wound” to global public health and a significant blow to American interests and national security.

He emphasized that the move would take time due to existing legal requirements. U.S. withdrawal demands a one-year notice and the fulfillment of financial obligations to the organization for the current fiscal year.

Below are some of other major implications of U.S withdrawal from the World Health Organization;

Access to Vital Data: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relies on the WHO for global health data and pathogen surveillance. For instance, in 2020, when China published the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus, it was the WHO that disseminated this crucial information to other countries.

Global Collaboration: The WHO plays a central role in coordinating international health responses, such as developing vaccines and treatments, monitoring disease outbreaks, and providing aid to conflict-affected regions. Without U.S. involvement, the organization’s capacity to address these challenges may weaken.

Pandemic Preparedness: The WHO has been working on a “pandemic treaty” aimed at improving preparedness through legally binding agreements on pathogen surveillance, outbreak data sharing, and vaccine manufacturing. The treaty’s negotiations, however, have faced resistance in the U.S., with some lawmakers perceiving it as a threat to national sovereignty.

WHO on its part issued a statement asking Trump to reconsider the decision saying it was ready to engage 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”.

“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go,” WHO said in a statement.