Trump Orders US Withdrawal from World Health Organization

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant policy shift on his first day back in office. The move signals his administration’s renewed criticism of the global health body and echoes his previous attempt to sever ties during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision later reversed by President Joe Biden.

After signing the order in the Oval Office, Trump acknowledged its significance. “Oooh, that’s a big one,” he remarked. The withdrawal order cites multiple concerns, including dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of global health crises, questions about its independence, and what Trump’s administration describes as “unfairly onerous payments” made by the US. The country has historically been the WHO’s largest financial contributor, accounting for nearly 20% of its $6.8 billion annual budget in 2023 under Biden’s administration.

Trump has long accused the WHO of being biased in favor of China, particularly in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his first term, he referred to the organization as “China-centric” and criticized its guidance on the virus. His latest decision to withdraw increases the likelihood that the US will formally sever ties with the Geneva-based agency, though he hinted at the possibility of re-engagement in the future. “They wanted us back so badly, so we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Public health experts have raised alarm over the decision, warning of its potential impact on global health efforts. Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University and a public health expert, called it a “cataclysmic presidential decision,” arguing that withdrawal would be a severe blow not just to global health but to the US itself. Ashish Jha, who served as a COVID-19 response coordinator under Biden, previously warned that leaving the WHO would harm US leadership and scientific influence, potentially undermining progress in fighting diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.