In a decisive move marking his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), echoing his previous administration’s stance on the international body. This action was taken amidst a flurry of executive orders aimed at undoing policies from the Biden administration and reshaping U.S. foreign policy.
During his inaugural address, Trump criticized the WHO for what he described as “inappropriate political influence” from member states, particularly China, and for what he claims are “unfairly onerous payments” demanded from the U.S. “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump stated while signing the order.
This marks the second time Trump has attempted to sever ties with the WHO. During his first term, in 2020, he initiated the U.S. withdrawal from the organization over accusations that it had aided China in misleading the world about the origins of the COVID-19 virus. However, the withdrawal was reversed by President Joe Biden upon taking office in January 2021.
The decision to leave the WHO is not without consequences. The U.S., being the world’s second-largest contributor to the WHO, plays a significant role in global health initiatives. The withdrawal will result in a substantial reduction in funding for the WHO’s core budget, potentially affecting its global health programs, especially in developing countries that rely on WHO’s drug and vaccine endorsements.
Critics of the move argue that this could undermine international efforts to combat global health crises, including ongoing and future pandemics. Gina McCarthy, former White House national climate adviser, expressed concern, stating, “By leaving the Paris Agreement, this administration has abdicated its responsibility to protect the American people and our national security.” This statement, while referring to climate policy, reflects a broader sentiment about the implications of withdrawing from international bodies.
On the other hand, proponents of the withdrawal, including some posts on social media platform X, have celebrated the move as a step towards American sovereignty. They argue that it frees the U.S. from what they perceive as corrupt globalist control, with sentiments like “Good move. Firm. Decisive. WHO has lately been a corrupt medical establishment” being echoed by users.
Under U.S. law, the withdrawal from the WHO requires a one-year notice period, and the U.S. must pay any outstanding fees during this time. The process will officially begin once the notification is sent to the United Nations and the WHO by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as directed by the executive order.
This bold step by Trump, alongside other executive orders signed on his first day back in office, signals a clear intention to prioritize “America First” policies, which could have far-reaching effects on U.S. international relations and global health governance.