Trump’s Shocking Move: U.S. Withdrawal from World Health Organization Explained

On Monday, President Trump announced plans to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision shocked many public health experts who believe it could weaken the U.S.’s role in global health efforts, making it harder to tackle future pandemics.

In his executive order issued shortly after taking office, Trump criticized the WHO for how it handled the COVID-19 pandemic and claimed the organization needed major reforms. He argued that the U.S. is unfairly charged high fees compared to other countries, like China, which contributes less to the agency.

This wasn’t an unexpected move. Trump had been vocal against the WHO since 2020, blaming it for what he saw as a poor response to the coronavirus. He even threatened to cut U.S. funding to the agency back then. While he took formal steps to withdraw in July 2020, the action stalled when Joe Biden became president and blocked the withdrawal on his first day in office.

Withdrawing from the WHO would have significant consequences. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would lose access to critical global health data. An example of this is when China shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus with the WHO, who then distributed that vital information worldwide.

Currently, the WHO is in discussions about a “pandemic treaty” aimed at strengthening worldwide pandemic readiness. This treaty would establish binding policies for countries regarding pathogen monitoring and the swift sharing of outbreak information. However, negotiations fell apart last year, with some Republican lawmakers in the U.S. opposing it, expressing concerns over national sovereignty.

Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert, said that stepping away from the WHO would hurt public health efforts and also harm U.S. national interests. The WHO, established in 1948 with significant U.S. involvement, aims to address major health issues and improve global health outcomes.

Part of the WHO’s efforts includes delivering aid to regions affected by conflict, like Gaza, and tracking outbreaks of diseases such as Zika, Ebola, and COVID-19. The organization operates on a biennial budget of around $6.8 billion, with the U.S. typically contributing a substantial portion.

According to Gostin, if the U.S. does proceed with the withdrawal, it will not be immediate. A joint resolution from Congress at the time of the WHO’s founding requires the U.S. to give a year’s notice and fulfill its financial obligations to the organization for the current fiscal year.

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