In a significant move on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the global health body, citing its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged bias towards China.
Speaking at the White House shortly after his inauguration, Trump expressed frustration over the financial disparity in contributions to the WHO. “The United States has been paying far more to this organization compared to China,” he said. “World Health ripped us off.” The United States, as the WHO’s largest donor, provides critical funding that underpins the organization’s global health initiatives.
The withdrawal is expected to have profound consequences on the WHO’s operations, potentially triggering a major restructuring of the Geneva-based institution.
It also raises concerns about the future of global health initiatives that rely heavily on U.S. financial support.
The move comes as the world grapples with a bird flu outbreak (H5N1) that has already claimed a life in the U.S. and raised fears of another potential pandemic.
Experts worry that the absence of U.S. collaboration could undermine coordinated efforts to address emerging health crises.
This isn’t the first time Trump has taken such a step. During his first term, he initiated the process to withdraw from the WHO, accusing it of being overly influenced by China during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That decision was later reversed by former President Joe Biden, who rejoined the organization and implemented the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy aimed at strengthening global preparedness for infectious disease threats.
Trump’s new executive order not only halts future U.S. government funding to the WHO but also directs agencies to identify alternative international partners to undertake health initiatives previously supported by the organization.
Furthermore, the administration announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 global health strategy, describing it as misaligned with America’s priorities.
The timing of the U.S. withdrawal coincides with ongoing negotiations among WHO member states to establish a treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
With the United States now absent from these talks, questions remain about the treaty’s effectiveness and global consensus on health security measures.
Trump’s decision underscores his administration’s preference for unilateral action and skepticism of multilateral organizations.
Whether this move will bolster or undermine global health efforts remains to be seen, but it is clear that the world’s approach to managing health crises is poised for significant change.