Trump Withdraws US from World Health Organization, Sparking Concerns Over Global Health Security
Executive Order:
President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and failure to implement reforms12.
Second Attempt:
This is the second time Trump has attempted to withdraw the US from WHO, following a similar move in July 2020 that was reversed by President Joe Biden in January 202124.
Reasons for Withdrawal:
The executive order lists the WHO's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to adopt reforms, and inability to demonstrate independence from political influence as reasons for withdrawal12.
Impact on Global Health:
Public health experts fear that the withdrawal could roll back decades of gains in fighting infectious diseases like AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and weaken the world's defenses against new outbreaks capable of triggering pandemics14.
Financial and Technical Contributions:
The US is the largest donor to WHO, providing significant financial and technical expertise, which will be paused and reassigned as part of the withdrawal process5.
International Response:
The WHO has expressed regret over the announcement, emphasizing the crucial role it plays in protecting global health and security23.
Sources:
1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-withdraw-us-world-health-organization/
2. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/trump-issues-order-withdraw-us-who
3. https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/trump-wants-to-pull-the-us-out-of-the-world-health-organization-again-heres-what-may-happen-next/
4. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/donald-trump-withdraws-us-world-health-organization/3821378/
5. https://www.kff.org/quick-take/u-s-withdrawal-from-the-world-health-organization-whats-at-stake/