Trump signs executive order to withdraw US from WHO

Hours after his inauguration on Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Trump, now serving his second, non-consecutive term, has long been a vocal critic of the UN health agency, particularly over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking from the White House, Trump reiterated his grievances, stating that the United States has been contributing significantly more funding to the WHO than China. “World Health ripped us off,” he declared, justifying the withdrawal.

As the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, the U.S. has historically provided substantial financial support essential to the WHO’s global health initiatives.

The withdrawal is expected to lead to a major restructuring within the organization and disrupt ongoing international health programs.

This is not the first time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO. During his first term, he initiated a withdrawal, accusing the body of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic’s early stages. That decision was later reversed by former President Joe Biden.

In his new executive order, Trump directed 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.”

The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”

The timing of the US withdrawal comes amid mounting fears over the pandemic potential of 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 the world’s first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021 — negotiations now set to proceed without US participation.

(AFP)