President Donald Trump issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This action marks a return to a policy initiated during Trump’s first term but reversed under the previous administration.
The executive order states that the United States intends to officially withdraw from the WHO, revoking a previous Presidential Letter that had retracted the initial 2020 notification of withdrawal. It also cancels Executive Order 13987, which was aimed at organizing a unified US response to combat COVID-19 and to assert US leadership in global health and security.
Trump about the WHO:
”Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs.”
In the document, the President has directed several actions to be taken swiftly:
- Funding Halt: The transfer of US government funds, support, or resources to the WHO will be paused immediately.
- Personnel Recall: All US government personnel and contractors currently involved with WHO must be recalled and reassigned.
- Security Council Adjustments: The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs is tasked with establishing new directorates and mechanisms within the National Security Council to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity.
Critics argue that this withdrawal could significantly undermine global health governance, especially when international cooperation is crucial for managing ongoing and future health crises.
Proponents of the decision believe it frees the US from what they perceive as an organization overly influenced by certain member states and not in line with American interests.
The WHO has not yet commented on the US decision. Still, the repercussions are expected to be significant, given that the United States is one of the WHO’s most important financial contributors.
As per US law, the withdrawal process requires a one-year notice period during which the US must fulfil any outstanding financial obligations to the WHO. This decision also means negotiations regarding a WHO pandemic treaty will cease during this period.
This latest policy shift reflects a broader reassessment of US involvement in international organizations. It aligns with Trump’s America First policy doctrine, which emphasizes national sovereignty and reduces foreign aid commitments that are not seen as directly beneficial to US interests.
Source
- Whitehouse.gov: Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization
- NewsVoice about WHO