By Sarah Baafi
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States will formally withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the global health agency of mismanagement and bias during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other international health crises.
Speaking at the signing of an executive order to initiate the withdrawal, Trump said, “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore.” He criticized the WHO for what he called its failure to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” and for requiring “unfairly onerous payments” from the United States. According to Trump, these payments were disproportionate compared to contributions from other major nations, such as China.
The decision marks a significant escalation in Trump’s long-standing criticism of the WHO. During his first term in office, he accused the organization of aiding China in allegedly misleading the world about the origins of COVID-19. In 2020, Trump had initiated steps to withdraw from the agency but was blocked when President Joe Biden reversed the decision upon taking office in January 2021.
Under U.S. law, leaving the WHO requires a one-year notice period and payment of any outstanding financial obligations. The U.S. is currently one of the largest contributors to the WHO, but Trump had previously suspended funding in 2020, costing the organization nearly $200 million during a critical phase of the global COVID-19 response.
The WHO has denied allegations of bias or mishandling and has repeatedly called for greater transparency from all member states, including China. The organization continues to investigate the origins of COVID-19, including whether it emerged from human contact with infected animals or through research conducted in a laboratory.
Trump’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts and international allies who argue that withdrawing from the WHO could weaken global efforts to combat pandemics and other health emergencies. Critics warn that it may also diminish U.S. influence on global health policy at a time when international cooperation is crucial.
The withdrawal process is expected to unfold over the next year unless reversed by a future administration or Congress.
