On Monday, President Donald Trump made a significant announcement by declaring the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision marks a notable shift in the country's relationship with the UN's public health agency, a move that had been anticipated given Trump's longstanding criticism of the WHO.
The formal withdrawal process from the WHO was initiated by the Trump administration in July 2020 amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The executive order issued by Trump cited several reasons for this decision, including the WHO's handling of the pandemic originating in Wuhan, China, as well as its failure to implement necessary reforms and demonstrate independence from political influences of member states.
During the signing of the executive order, Trump expressed his belief that the US was disproportionately contributing financially to the WHO compared to other nations. He emphasized the financial aspect by pointing out that the organization was demanding excessive payments from the US, which he deemed unfair.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the WHO reflects his administration's stance on the organization's performance and financial practices. The move is expected to have implications for the US's involvement in global health initiatives and cooperation with international partners.
Following the announcement, sources have reached out to the WHO for comment on the US withdrawal. The repercussions of this decision on global health efforts and the future of US engagement with international health organizations remain to be seen.
