China has responded strongly to the United States’ exit from the World Health Organization (WHO). During a recent WHO executive board meeting, a Chinese representative emphasized that countries should prioritize international law over domestic politics.
The U.S. withdrawal, initially driven by the Trump administration’s concerns over how the WHO managed the COVID-19 pandemic, has completed its process. In a significant twist, the WHO lacks clear rules on how a member can leave, which raised questions among the board members. The matter is expected to go to the World Health Assembly, which convenes yearly in May.
China’s official argued, “Major countries should lead by example.” Although China is not on the executive board, they participated in discussions highlighting the risks of using the WHO selectively. They stressed that countries shouldn’t abandon global health efforts when convenient.
The U.S. has suggested that independent agreements could address public health issues. However, many health experts warn that these approaches may not be as effective as a unified global body like the WHO. According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 63% of American respondents believe that global health initiatives are crucial for managing domestic health challenges.
The history of the U.S. relationship with the WHO reflects an ongoing debate. In 2017, President Trump initially attempted to leave the organization but reversed the decision in 2021 under President Biden. Trump’s administration believed it was unfair that the U.S. contributed more financially to the WHO than China, despite its much larger population.
Following the U.S. announcement, Argentina, led by President Javier Milei – an ally of Trump – also decided to withdraw. This move mirrored concerns about the WHO’s COVID-19 response and is set to take effect later this year.
Interestingly, the WHO’s founding discussions included whether to allow withdrawal, but ultimately, no process was established. This absence now complicates the exits. As noted by an expert at the executive board meeting, “countries are not able to quit the WHO.”
Furthermore, a North Korean representative brought up pending dues owed by the U.S., stating that the obligation to pay is applicable to all countries leaving the organization. The U.S. is reportedly behind on $278 million in assessed contributions for upcoming years.
The conversation around the U.S. withdrawal was surprisingly brief, lasting under five minutes, with only a few nations, including China, North Korea, and Israel, commenting. The Israeli delegate even suggested further discussion was unnecessary, framing it as a matter of national sovereignty.
This situation reflects broader issues in global health governance. During the last World Health Assembly, China committed to increasing its contributions, perhaps indicating its intention to fill the leadership vacuum left by the U.S. withdrawal.
As the landscape of global health continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will affect international cooperation in addressing future health crises.
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infectious diseases,public health
