Global: US Withdrawal from WHO Poses Risks to Global Health Mission and Finances – WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns that the recent executive order by former U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the organization could undermine its mission and financial stability.

WHO, a United Nations specialized agency dedicated to global public health, expressed its regret over the announcement made by the Trump administration.

As WHO’s largest state contributor, the U.S. provided 15.6% of the organization’s revenue during the 2022-2023 biennium, followed closely by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which accounted for 12.7%. The U.S. withdrawal, coupled with a suspension of financial contributions, intensifies WHO’s existing financial challenges. Just last week, the agency issued an urgent funding appeal for an additional $1.5 billion to tackle pressing global health crises.

In a statement, WHO emphasized the importance of maintaining its collaboration with the U.S., noting, “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”

Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 member states, including the U.S., to address global health emergencies and advance international public health.

The U.S. withdrawal from WHO first gained traction in 2021 when Trump cited the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its need for reforms, and alleged political influence from China as reasons for the move. However, President Joe Biden reversed this decision on his first day in office, reaffirming the importance of WHO’s role in combating COVID-19 and addressing other global health challenges in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

Trump’s recent executive order marks a return to his earlier stance, with additional criticisms of WHO’s funding structure. He stated that the organization “continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments.”

The move has reignited debates over whether a U.S. president can unilaterally withdraw from international organizations without Congressional approval. A Congressional Research Service report, issued during Trump’s initial attempt, highlighted potential legal and procedural hurdles to such a withdrawal, suggesting that Congress may impose restrictions or conditions to prevent unilateral action.

WHO’s plea for reconsideration underscores the vital role the U.S. plays in supporting global health efforts and the potential implications of its absence for millions worldwide.