President Trump Announces U.S. Withdrawal from World Health Organization Over COVID-19 Response

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States would be withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the global health agency of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Trump criticized the WHO for not acting independently of political influence from member states and for requiring the U.S. to make disproportionately large financial contributions compared to other major countries like China. He made these remarks while signing an executive order that formalized the withdrawal, shortly after his inauguration for a second term.
In response, the WHO expressed regret over the U.S. decision, with spokesperson Tarik Jasarević urging the country to reconsider its departure. The organization called for constructive dialogue, emphasizing that the departure would affect not only Americans but people globally. The U.S. is the WHO’s largest financial contributor, funding around 18% of its budget, and the withdrawal could significantly impact the WHO’s ability to operate its programs.
The U.S. withdrawal will take effect after a 12-month notice period, during which the country will stop all financial contributions to the WHO. Experts have warned that this move could jeopardize critical health programs, especially those targeting tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other global health emergencies. The WHO’s two-year budget for 2024-2025 is set at $6.8 billion, with a substantial portion of this funding coming from the United States.
Trump’s executive order also directs the cessation of U.S. negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty and mandates the recall and reassignment of U.S. government personnel working with the organization. Additionally, the order calls for a review and replacement of the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy for 2024. This withdrawal reflects a significant shift in U.S. foreign health policy under the Trump administration.