President Trump announced Friday that the U.S. is 'terminating' its relationship with the embattled World Health Organization (WHO) over its failure to enact reforms in the face of concerns over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its pro-China bias.
"The world is now suffering as a result of the misfeasance of the Chinese government," Trump said., and threatened to make the freeze permanent if the organization did not enact "major substantive reforms." The U.S. had been the top contributor to the agency to the tune of approximately $450 million a year. China meanwhile pays approximately $50 million a year -- although Beijing had recently announced a $2 billion injection of funds.
The U.S. has raised concerns about WHO officials' praise of Chinese "transparency," its ignoring of warnings about the virus from Taiwan, and its repetition of Chinese claims that COVID-19 could not be spread from person-to-person. Trump has also pointed to opposition from WHO officials to his decision to place a travel ban on China in the initial days of the crisis.
Targeting the Chinese directly, Trump said he will issue a proclamation to secure university research and to "suspend the entry of certain foreign nationals from China who we have identified as a potential security risk." Trump also accused China of "smothering" freedom in Hong Kong with its newly enacted national security law that would stifle opposition and criminalize anti-government movements such as the pro-democracy demonstrations seen in the territory in recent years.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump announces he's 'terminating' the US relationship with the World Health Organization - Business InsiderBusiness Insider is a fast-growing business site with deep financial, media, tech, and other industry verticals. Launched in 2007, the site is now the largest business news site on the web.
Read more »
Trump announces he's terminating US relations with the World Health OrganizationThe US coronavirus outbreak has altered daily life in almost every way. Here's the latest updates on US Covid-19 cases, deaths, reopenings, the government response, unemployment and more.
Read more »
Trump says U.S. will be 'terminating' relationship with WHOThe president criticized the World Health Organization for their response to the pandemic and said U.S. funds would be redirected to other public health needs.
Read more »
US stocks erase losses, finish higher after Trump refrains from China sanctions | Markets InsiderUS stocks gained on Friday, reversing earlier losses after President Donald Trump's news conference on China. Trump said he would begin taking s...
Read more »
Trump announces end of US relationship with World Health OrganizationPresident Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States will terminate its relationship with the World Health Organization, a move he has threatened throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »