President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). The move, which has been met with criticism from health experts and international organizations, threatens to undermine WHO's ability to address global health challenges. This article analyzes Trump's rationale for withdrawing, examines the potential consequences for global health, and explores the perspectives of experts and advocates.
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has reacted to President Donald Trump 's recent executive order withdrawing the United States from the organization, expressing concern that this move may hinder its core mission. WHO , a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to international public health, issued a statement on Tuesday expressing 'regret' over the White House announcement. The United States is WHO 's largest financial contributor, providing 15.
6 percent of its total revenue during the 2022-2023 biennium, followed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at 12.7 percent. This withdrawal, which will involve a halt in funds sent to WHO, will exacerbate the organization's financial struggles, especially after it issued an emergency funding appeal last week seeking an additional $1.5 billion to address global health challenges. When contacted for comment, WHO directed Newsweek to its Tuesday press release. Newsweek also reached out to the White House for further clarification. In its statement, WHO urged the United States to reconsider its decision and expressed a desire to engage in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the two entities for the benefit of global health and well-being. Established in 1948, WHO currently collaborates with 194 nations, including the United States, focusing primarily on global health emergencies. In 2021, Trump initiated the U.S. withdrawal process, citing WHO's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its failure to implement 'urgently needed reforms,' and its perceived lack of independence from China's political influence. However, President Biden reversed this decision on his first day in office, writing a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres stating that WHO 'plays a crucial role in the world's fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic as well as countless other threats to global health and health security.'On Monday, Trump signed an executive order reversing Biden's decision. Besides the criticisms leveled during his previous administration, Trump argued that WHO 'continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments.' Law Professor Lawrence Gostin, an expert in global health law and director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, expressed concerns about Trump's executive order on X, calling it 'riddled with legal & factual errors.' He pointed out that the decision does not comply with the one-year notice period stipulated by Congress's 1948 joint resolution authorizing presidential acceptance of WHO membership, which also mandates that the U.S. fulfill its financial obligations for the current fiscal year before halting payments. Gostin stated that Trump's actions are unraveling U.S. engagement and funding, characterizing it as unlawful and a grave strategic error. Gostin further warned that alongside withdrawing from WHO, Trump is likely to slash global health funding, potentially impacting critical areas like HIV, sexual health, polio eradication, and health emergencies. He expressed fears that Trump's actions could pave the way for the next pandemic. Dr. David Hamer, Professor of Global Health and Medicine at Boston University School of Public Health, shared deep concerns about the decision, emphasizing that it would exacerbate WHO's long-standing struggle with 'chronic underfunding.' He explained that ceasing funding abruptly would severely harm WHO operations, as the organization plays a vital role in developing guidelines, policies, and educational materials crucial for global public health. Hamer highlighted the potential long-term impact on public health programs in low and middle-income countries if WHO's efforts are curtailed. He further warned that the WHO's ability to respond effectively to future public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic could be significantly hampered, potentially affecting the U.S. through outbreaks affecting travelers, citizens overseas, or imported cases leading to potential outbreaks within the country. When asked about the rationale behind Trump's decision so early in his presidency, Hamer speculated that it might stem from his failed attempt to fully withdraw from WHO during his first term. He suggested that Trump is now trying to achieve his previous goal. Meanwhile, some individuals celebrated America's departure from WHO, with a prominent pro-Trump account on X declaring, 'THIS is what WINNING LOOKS LIKE. THE WHO is a Medical Terrorist Organization that should be ABOLISHED for committing Crimes Against Humanity.' The future trajectory of this situation remains uncertain. While Trump's previous attempt to withdraw from WHO was blocked by Biden's 2020 victory, including this action in his Day 1 executive orders significantly increases the likelihood of the U.S. formally leaving the organization
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