Trump Signs Executive Order to Withdraw U.S. from World Health Organization
Image: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
President Donald Trump has taken the first steps to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) with the signing of an executive order on the first day of his second term. This marks Trump’s second attempt to pull the U.S. out of the Geneva-based organization, a process he initially began during the COVID-19 pandemic under his previous administration. The announcement has drawn immediate backlash from public health experts and global health organizations.
The executive order gives multiple reasons for the withdrawal, including the WHO's "mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic," its failure to enact necessary reforms, and claims of undue political influence within the organization. Trump also criticized the financial contributions the U.S. makes to the WHO, describing them as "unfairly onerous" compared to other nations. “They wanted us back so badly so we'll see what happens,” Trump said, suggesting that the U.S. may return to the organization if reforms are made.
US withdrawal could see a loss of almost a fifth of WHO budget
The timing of the decision has raised concerns, especially since the U.S. is the largest contributor to the WHO’s budget, providing nearly one-fifth of its annual funding. A withdrawal would result in a significant financial gap that the organization may struggle to fill. Public health experts worry that this move could undermine global health efforts, particularly in areas such as the response to infectious diseases like malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, as well as preparedness for future pandemics.
Experts call US withdrawal from WHO a major error
Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House COVID-19 response coordinator under President Biden, called the withdrawal a “strategic error,” warning that it could create a vacuum in global health leadership. He predicted that China would step in to fill the gap, potentially increasing its influence on the WHO and on global health policy. Others, like Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University, expressed even stronger disapproval, calling the decision "cataclysmic" for both world health and U.S. interests.
Public health experts are particularly concerned about the implications for international collaboration in the event of future health emergencies. Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News’ chief medical correspondent, explained that having a coordinated effort through the WHO is essential for managing global health crises. Without the U.S. at the table, communication and collaboration could be severely hindered.
WHO release statement on US decision
In a statement, the WHO urged the U.S. to reconsider, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing health threats. The organization pointed to its recent reforms and the critical role of U.S. funding and expertise in global health. However, despite these appeals, Trump’s executive order begins a year-long process of withdrawal, during which the U.S. is still obligated to provide funding.
The withdrawal could also have significant legal and logistical implications. Some experts have questioned the legality of Trump’s decision, particularly given the requirement that Congress must approve the withdrawal. Others worry about how the U.S. will meet its financial obligations during the transition period.
While Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO is seen by some as a long-awaited push for reforms, it has sparked fierce debate. Critics argue that this move risks undermining decades of progress in global health, while proponents believe it could encourage much-needed changes in how the organization operates. Only time will tell whether the U.S. will ultimately rejoin the WHO or if this marks a permanent split from the international health body.
The WHO’s full statement can be found here.
