President Trump revives plan to withdraw US from WHO

President Donald Trump reignited efforts to withdraw the US from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on his first day back in the White House. This decision marks the second attempt in five years to sever ties with the global health agency, raising concerns about its potential impact on efforts to combat diseases like AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and future pandemics.
What happened?
In his first Oval Office appearance of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order initiating the withdrawal process. The order halts US funding to WHO, reallocates federal staff and resources, and seeks alternative international partners to take over WHO’s responsibilities.
This move echoes the President’s 2020 attempt to withdraw from WHO during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021. President Trump has now revived the effort, citing dissatisfaction with the organisation’s performance and governance.
What is WHO, and does this matter?
WHO is a specialised United Nations agency that coordinates global health responses, including managing disease outbreaks like Ebola, mpox, and polio. It provides technical support to countries, supplies vaccines, and sets health guidelines.
Experts warn that a US withdrawal would severely undermine WHO’s capacity to combat global health threats. Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University, stated that losing American funding and expertise would cripple WHO’s epidemic response and global surveillance. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark emphasised the detrimental effects of this decision, particularly amid concerns over the potential spread of bird flu.
Can Trump withdraw the United States from WHO?
Yes, but it requires Congressional approval and the fulfilment of US financial obligations to WHO. The US joined WHO in 1948 under a Congressional resolution, which mandates a one-year notice for withdrawal.
Implications for WHO
The US is one of WHO’s largest donors, contributing $160 million to $815 million annually over the past decade. WHO’s budget ranges from $2 billion to $3 billion, meaning the loss of US funding would be devastating. Key initiatives, such as polio eradication, maternal health programmes, and pandemic preparedness, would face severe setbacks.
American agencies like the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which collaborate closely with WHO, would also be affected. The US would lose access to WHO’s initiatives, including flu vaccine development and genetic databases essential for producing medicines.
Why is Trump taking this step?
The President has criticised WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging mismanagement and undue influence from China and corporate interests. His executive order accuses WHO of failing to implement necessary reforms and mishandling global health crises.
During the pandemic, WHO faced criticism for initially advising against mask use, denying COVID-19’s airborne spread, and mishandling a significant sexual abuse scandal involving health responders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
WHO’s response
WHO expressed regret over President Trump’s decision and urged the US to reconsider, emphasising the partnership’s historical significance. The organisation highlighted joint achievements, including eradicating smallpox and nearly eliminating polio, while noting the US’s 18% contribution to its 2023 budget.
Excerpt from Associated Press(AP)