President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), a decision rooted in his criticism of the body’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the White House just hours after his inauguration, Trump claimed that the United States was paying disproportionately higher contributions to the UN agency compared to China. “World Health ripped us off,” he asserted.
The United States, as the WHO’s largest donor, has historically provided crucial financial support for its operations. The withdrawal is expected to prompt significant restructuring within the organization and could disrupt ongoing global health initiatives.
A Repeated Move
This marks Trump’s second attempt to sever ties with the WHO. During his first term, his administration issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being excessively influenced by China during the initial stages of the pandemic. That decision was later reversed under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
New Directives and Policy Changes
In his latest executive order, Trump instructed federal agencies to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”
Additionally, the administration announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, aimed at combating infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”
Timing Amid Global Health Concerns
The withdrawal coincides with rising concerns over the potential pandemic threat posed by the current bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and claimed one life in the United States. Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating a landmark treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021. These talks are now set to continue without US involvement.
This decision underscores the Trump administration’s emphasis on reshaping US participation in global health governance and its critique of international institutions.
